Renee Good’s Brothers Testify on Capitol Hill After Deadly Minneapolis Shooting
The brothers of Renee Good, the 37-year-old Minneapolis mother killed by a federal immigration officer in January, shared emotional testimony on Capitol Hill Tuesday, recounting the profound impact of her death on their family and calling for urgent reform.
During a public forum organized by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Luke and Brent Ganger read portions of Good’s funeral eulogy and described the grief, disbelief, and anger their family has felt since the tragedy.
“The deep distress our family feels because of Renee’s loss in such a violent and unnecessary way is complicated by feelings of disbelief, distress and desperation for change,” Luke Ganger told lawmakers.
The Shooting and Its Fallout
Good, a mother of three, was fatally shot while sitting in her Honda Pilot on a residential Minneapolis street after an ICE agent opened fire, according to authorities. DHS maintains that agents acted in self-defense after Good allegedly attempted to ram them with her vehicle, labeling it an act of “domestic terrorism.” Local officials have disputed that account, and her death has sparked ongoing protests across Minneapolis, further intensified by the later fatal federal agent-involved shooting of Alex Pretti.
Luke Ganger expressed frustration at the lack of change following his sister’s death.
“We hoped her loss would bring change in our country. And it has not,” he said. “The completely surreal scenes taking place on the streets of Minneapolis are beyond explanation. These encounters with federal agents are changing the community and changing many lives, including ours, forever.”
He added that the Good family represents “a very American blend” of faiths and political beliefs, united by love and respect despite differences.
Remembering Renee Good
Brent Ganger read excerpts of the eulogy he delivered at Good’s funeral, painting a picture of a woman devoted to her children and her community.
“She was unapologetically hopeful. Her children were and are her heart … she made sure they felt safe and valued and endlessly loved,” he said.
“Renee had a way of making you feel understood, even if you didn’t have words yet. She believed in second chances. She believed tomorrow can be better than today. When things were hard, Renee looked for the light.”
Calls for DHS Reform
Sen. Blumenthal described the hearing as “extraordinary and unprecedented,” noting that both Good and Pretti were “murdered by their own government” and “killed in cold blood.” He called for sweeping reforms at DHS, including:
Body cameras for all ICE agents,
Clear accountability measures with cameras always active,
Comprehensive additional training and monitoring for officers.
“These stories are not just about Minneapolis,” Blumenthal said. “The nation is Minneapolis. We are all Minneapolis. These stories are a call to action.”
The testimony underscores the nationwide scrutiny of federal law enforcement practices and the demand for accountability and reform following high-profile incidents of deadly force.