Renee Good’s family files two lawsuits over her death against Trump officials

Renee Good’s family has filed two lawsuits against the US government and Trump administration officials over her death in Minneapolis. Good, a US citizen and mother of three, was shot on 7 January by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during a traffic stop.

The claims were brought by her brother, Brent Granger, and her partner, Becca Good. One lawsuit accuses the government of conduct that caused Good’s death, including battery, assault, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

Lawsuit names Trump officials

The second lawsuit targets ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who shot Good, as well as White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, White House border chief Tom Homan and others. It alleges a conspiracy to interfere with civil rights involving senior federal officials, immigration agents and private actors.

The first lawsuit cites the Federal Tort Claims Act, which permits claims against the government for injury, death or property damage caused by negligent federal employees.

Disputed accounts of the shooting

Immigration authorities said Good had attempted to kill or cause bodily harm to agents. Witnesses disputed that she was trying to attack them. Donald Trump initially blamed Good for the shooting, but weeks later called her death a tragedy and said agents sometimes make mistakes.

Becca Good spoke publicly for the first time since the shooting at a news conference on the lawsuits, saying the death had destroyed her family’s life. The family’s lawyer, Antonio Romanucci, said the government had become a mortal threat to its own citizens.

Good’s death triggered protests across the US. After Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti was killed by immigration agents on 24 January, hundreds of federal agents were withdrawn from the city and operation chief Greg Bovino was removed from his post.

At least 10 people have been killed in encounters with immigration officers since Trump began his second term in January 2025, according to the Associated Press.