Family of Renee Good Says Trump Administration Has Not Contacted Them After Fatal Shooting
The family of Renee Good, an unarmed U.S. citizen and mother who was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis last month, has disclosed in an interview with NBC News that neither former President Donald Trump nor any member of his administration has made contact with them since her death. This revelation comes as the family grapples with the aftermath of the tragic incident, which occurred on January 7, and has sparked national attention and controversy.
Lack of Official Communication and False Claims
In the interview, Brent Ganger, Good's brother, emphasized the family's decision to hire independent investigators to ensure transparency and seriousness in uncovering the truth about what happened. He stated, "There's a reason that we hired our own investigators – to make sure that the truth is transparent and available, to make sure that this is really taken seriously, and to make sure that we know what occurred." The family has faced additional distress due to false claims by the Trump administration, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's inaccurate portrayal of the 37-year-old mother of three as a "domestic terrorist."
Luke Ganger, another brother, defended Renee's character, saying, "We're the ones who know Renee. No one else knows Renee." He added, "There's a bunch of opinions and whatever, but we're the ones who know her, and those other things aren't going to change that." The family described Good as a gentle person deeply devoted to raising her children, highlighting the personal loss they have endured.
Details of the Shooting and Autopsy Findings
The family has not yet viewed the videos capturing the moment Good was killed, with Brent Ganger expressing, "I can't bring myself to do that." In a separate interview with CBS Evening News, Good's father, Tim Ganger, shared his profound grief, stating he would have "traded a thousand times stepping in front of her to protect her." A private autopsy conducted last month revealed that Good was shot three times: in her forearm, breast, and head. Incident reports from the day corroborated these findings, noting two "apparent gunshot wounds" to the right side of her chest and a "possible gunshot wound with protruding tissue on the left side of the patient's head."
Community Support and Spiritual Comfort
Despite the absence of support from the Trump administration, Good's family has received an outpouring of condolences from community members and individuals across the country. Donna Ganger, Good's mother, shared a moment of spiritual solace, saying, "I felt the overwhelming peace that God said: 'I've got Renee. It's OK. I'm gonna walk with your family through this. You're not gonna be alone.'" She also reflected on gratitude, adding, "We have been very consciously grateful for having Renee and having her in our lives for 37 years. It changes your perspective when you're grateful."
Broader Context: Second Victim in Minneapolis
Just weeks after Good's death, Alex Pretti became the second victim of a fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Family and friends described the 37-year-old intensive care nurse as "happy" and someone who "represents the best of us." Pretti's parents, in an interview with the New York Times, recalled his frustration over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minnesota, quoting him as saying, "Mom, they're kidnapping kids. Why would anybody do that? Why would people treat each other like that? That just doesn't make any sense. There's no reason to." This incident underscores ongoing tensions and concerns regarding immigration enforcement actions in the region.
