Tragic Death of Poet Renee Nicole Good Sparks Nationwide Protests

Fri Jan 09 2026 13:22:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Renee Nicole Good, a mother and award-winning poet, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, leading to widespread outrage and calls for justice.

Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and a recognized poet, was shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Despite being described as a legal observer, her death has ignited protests across the nation demanding justice. Friends and family remember her as compassionate and loving, while officials have painted a conflicting narrative, leading to public outcry regarding the circumstances of her death.

The woman shot dead by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis has been identified as Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who had just moved to the city.

She was a prize-winning poet and a hobby guitarist, and according to Minnesota Senator Tina Smith, a US citizen.

City leaders have said Good was a legal observer of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. But the Trump administration has called her a domestic terrorist.

Good's death has sparked protests across the country, with many people holding signs that read Justice for Renee.

Her mother, Donna Ganger, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that her daughter was probably terrified during the confrontation with officers that led to her fatal shooting. Ganger stated that Good was one of the kindest people I've ever known.

Good was initially from Colorado Springs and had moved to Minneapolis just last year from Kansas City. Known for her creativity, she had a gift for words, winning an undergraduate prize in 2020 from the Academy of American Poets with her poignant piece titled On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs.

In what has become a controversial incident, her presence as a legal observer at an ICE raid led to differing accounts of her engagement with law enforcement. Some officials have claimed she was impeding their work, while others, including city officials, argue that she was merely there to watch over the proceedings.

Good's mother recounted her daughter's compassionate nature and dedication to her family, highlighting that fundraising efforts for Good's family greatly exceeded their target, raising over $370,000 within hours.

The response to Good's untimely death raises questions not just about her actions, but about the broader implications of governmental power and public safety in today's climate.