Family of Slain Minneapolis Mother Retains George Floyd's Law Firm
The family of Renee Good has taken a decisive step in their quest for justice. They have hired the Chicago-based civil rights firm Romanucci & Blandin. This is the same legal team that represented the family of George Floyd. The move signals their determination to uncover the truth behind the fatal shooting of the 37-year-old mother of three by a federal immigration officer.
Seeking Clarity and Peace
In a statement released on Wednesday, Renee Good's relatives made their intentions clear. They want her remembered as "an agent of peace." The family urged the public to avoid turning her death into a political flashpoint. They seek answers, not escalation.
Romanucci & Blandin announced they are investigating the circumstances of the killing. The firm plans to release information "in the coming weeks." They stated, "What happened to Renee is wrong." They intend to share findings "on a rolling basis" because they believe the community lacks adequate information from official channels.
The firm now represents Renee Good's partner, Becca Good, along with her parents and siblings.
Conflicting Investigations and Official Fallout
The family's announcement coincided with significant developments in official circles. The US Justice Department stated it found no basis for a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting. However, an FBI investigation into Renee Good's death remains active and ongoing.
Simultaneously, internal turmoil has hit federal offices in Minnesota. Roughly half a dozen federal prosecutors in the state resigned this week. Several supervisors in the criminal section of the Civil Rights Division in Washington also submitted notices of departure, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Disputed Narratives of the Encounter
The Trump administration has defended the ICE officer's actions. Officials claim he fired in self-defense while standing in front of Good's moving vehicle. This explanation faces strong rejection from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. They cite video footage of the encounter as contradicting the official account.
The ICE agent involved has been identified as Jonathan Ross. He is an Iraq War veteran who has served as a deportation officer since 2015.
The family's lawyers are seeking clarity on several key points. They want to know why federal officers were in the neighborhood on January 7. They question how the officers conducted themselves during the encounter. They also inquire whether there were delays in providing medical assistance after the shooting.
The Day of the Shooting
According to her partner and relatives, the events of January 7 began routinely. Renee and Becca Good had just dropped off their six-year-old child at school. They stopped after noticing law enforcement activity in their area.
Video footage shows Renee sitting in a red SUV. The vehicle was positioned perpendicular to the road, partially blocking traffic. She repeatedly pressed the horn.
A short time later, a truck carrying immigration officers arrived. Two officers exited the vehicle. One officer ordered Renee Good to open her door. She briefly reversed the SUV. Then she turned the steering wheel towards the passenger side. The officer again instructed her to "get out of the car."
At nearly the same moment, Becca Good stood on the passenger side attempting to open the door. She can be heard shouting: "drive, baby, drive!"
The SUV then moved forward. Gunshots rang out as an officer standing in front of the vehicle opened fire.
In a statement to Minnesota Public Radio, Becca Good explained their actions. "We had whistles. They had guns," she said, noting they had stopped to support their neighbors.
A Shift in Presidential Tone
President Donald Trump adopted a notably more measured tone when discussing the shooting. During a Reuters interview in the Oval Office on Wednesday, he described the incident as "sad to see on both sides."
"I don't get into right or wrong. I know that it was a tough situation to be in," Trump said of the officer. "There was very little respect shown to the police, in this case, the ICE officers."
This restrained approach marked a shift from his initial response on Truth Social. There, he had described Renee Good as "a professional agitator" who "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer." He had suggested the shooting appeared to be an act of self-defense.
When asked if he would pardon agent Jonathan Ross if charged and convicted, Trump declined to speculate. "I think that we're gonna have to see what happens. That was a very unfortunate incident. We're just going to see what happens," he said.
Broader Immigration Enforcement Continues
President Trump confirmed his administration would continue deploying ICE officers to US cities. He argued the strategy is necessary to combat crime, despite violent confrontations linked to recent enforcement surges.
ICE data reveals a complicating detail. Many individuals arrested during the administration's intensified immigration crackdown have no criminal charges or prior convictions.
The family of Renee Good now waits as legal and investigative processes unfold. Their choice of legal representation underscores the high stakes and their hope for accountability in a case that has gripped Minneapolis and drawn national attention.
