The family of Renee Good filed two federal lawsuits Thursday over her fatal shooting by an immigration officer in Minneapolis. The Renee Good lawsuit names the U.S. government, the officer and several current and former Trump administration officials.
Good’s partner, Becca Good, and her brother, Brent Ganger, filed the cases in Minnesota federal court. Ganger is acting as a trustee for Good’s next of kin, including her three children, parents and siblings.
Renee Good lawsuit alleges wrongful death
One lawsuit names the United States as the sole defendant under the Federal Tort Claims Act. That law allows people to seek damages for harm allegedly caused by federal employees performing their duties.
The complaint alleges wrongful death under Minnesota law. It includes claims involving battery, assault, false imprisonment, emotional distress and negligence.
The family argues that federal officers unlawfully detained Good and used excessive force. It also alleges that officers violated Department of Homeland Security policies governing firearms and moving vehicles.
The lawsuit seeks damages for Good’s pain and suffering before her death. It also seeks compensation for her family’s losses and Becca Good’s emotional and physical injuries.
The complaint alleges that officers failed to provide timely medical assistance after the shooting. It further claims that agents prevented a physician at the scene from helping Good.
Those allegations have not been proven in court.
Second lawsuit names federal officials
A separate lawsuit accuses senior officials and immigration agents of conspiring to interfere with civil rights during Operation Metro Surge.
Defendants include ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who shot Good, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. The case also names former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House border czar Tom Homan.
Other defendants include Corey Lewandowski, ICE official Todd Lyons and former Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. The complaint also identifies 10 unnamed federal agents.
The family alleges that officials developed a discriminatory enforcement operation targeting Minnesota’s Somali and Hispanic communities. It claims Good encountered agents while observing their activities and warning neighbors.
Attorneys are requesting a jury trial, compensatory damages and punitive damages against individual defendants. The Justice Department did not immediately comment on the filings.
Fatal encounter followed school drop-off
Ross fatally shot Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, on Jan. 7. The encounter happened near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue in south Minneapolis.
Good had recently dropped her 6-year-old son off at school when she encountered federal immigration officers. Video showed her burgundy SUV stopped across part of a snowy residential street.
An officer ordered Good to leave the vehicle. She briefly reversed and then drove forward while turning the steering wheel.
Ross fired three shots, including one through the windshield. He then fired near the open driver’s-side window as the vehicle moved forward.
The family’s lawsuit alleges Ross was outside the vehicle’s path and faced no immediate threat. Attorneys argue that the shooting violated Good’s constitutional protections against unreasonable force.
Federal officials have presented a different account. The Department of Homeland Security said Good “weaponized” her vehicle and attempted to strike officers. The agency maintained that Ross fired in self-defense.
Video evidence and the competing accounts will likely become central issues in the civil cases.
Lawsuits follow dispute over evidence
Minnesota authorities previously sued the federal government for access to evidence from Good’s death and other federal shootings. State investigators said federal agencies initially prevented them from joining the investigation.
The federal government later shared key evidence, according to FOX 9. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with Good’s death.
The new lawsuits now place the disputed shooting, federal enforcement policies and the conduct of senior officials before a civil court. The defendants will have an opportunity to respond before the cases move toward discovery or trial.