Renee Nicole Good was an American citizen who had just moved to Minneapolis with her family. She described herself as a “poet and writer and wife and mom,” and was a hobby guitarist and stay-at-home mother. Renee Good was married to Rebecca “Becca” Good and had three children, the youngest of whom was 6 years old.
Alex Pretti was an American citizen who lived in Minneapolis. He was an intensive care nurse at the Veterans’ Affairs hospital, loved mountain biking, and exploring the outdoors with his dog, Joule, who had recently passed away.
Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent on January 7th, at 9:37 A.M., in front of her wife and neighbors.
Alex Pretti was shot and killed by an ICE officer on January 24th, at 8:58 A.M, while he was recording an ICE arrest.
Renee Good was killed in a neighborhood near Richard E. Green Central Park Elementary. ICE had been active around the school, so local community members organized to stand watch to protect the kids and their parents. After dropping off their son at school, Renee Good and her wife stopped to support their neighbors. “We had whistles. They had guns,” says Becca Good.
A masked officer approached Good’s car. Becca Good exited the vehicle and began recording the agent, while ICE agent Jonathan Ross was recording Becca and her license plate with his handheld phone.
Two other masked officers arrived in an unmarked car, exited, and approached Renee Good’s Honda Pilot. One ordered her to “get out of the f**king car,” and forcibly attempted to open Good’s driver side door. Renee Good reversed a few feet, and Agent Ross moved from behind to stand to the front left of the car, blocking Good in. Becca Good attempted to get in the car before calling for Renee Good to “drive baby, drive!”
Renee Good turned her wheel to the far right, away from where Ross was standing, in an attempt to flee. Ross drew his gun. Good pressed the gas, and it appeared as if Ross was either clipped by the corner of the car or moved out of the way. Regardless, Ross appeared uninjured and remained standing. In return, he fired three shots into Renee’s head, murdering her. He can then be heard saying, “F**king b**ch.”
Alex Pretti died pepper-sprayed, blinded, and beaten at the hands of ICE before being killed. Like the Goods, Alex Pretti was legally observing and recording ICE agents.
Pretti was recording an ICE arrest when ICE started pushing two observers across the street, towards where Pretti was standing. One agent shoved one of the observers to the ground by Pretti. The agent then stalked after the downed person, pulling out pepper-spray.
Pretti stepped slightly between the agent and the person on the ground. The masked ICE officer, with no attempt at de-escalation, grabbed Pretti and began forcibly pepper-spraying him in the face. Both of Pretti’s hands were visible, one in the air, empty, the other recording with his phone.
Pretti fell onto the person he was trying to protect. The ICE agent continued pepper-spraying them both as Pretti continued to attempt to shield the other person. Appearing furious, the officer grabbed Pretti by the hood of his coat and dragged him onto the street, roughly pulling them apart.
Three ICE agents grappled Pretti to the pavement. More ICE officers surrounded Pretti, detaining him on the ground. An officer can be seen repeatedly lifting his arm to hit Pretti, and a bystander can be heard yelling, “They are hitting an observer. They’re kicking them in the face!”
At one point, at least five ICE agents were pinning Pretti down. At 9:01 A.M., an officer emerged from the mob holding a gun, which matched the handgun Pretti had a legal license to carry, which he never pulled against the officers.
Almost immediately, another ICE agent yanked out his own gun and shot a pinned and immobilized Pretti. ICE quickly moved back, and a second after the first shot was fired, three more followed. Pretti appears to go limp. Within five seconds, ICE had fired ten bullets into Pretti.
Pretti died at the scene.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has established specific guidelines regarding conflict between observers, detainees, and ICE. “Deadly force shall not be used solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing subject,” describes how “DHS LEOs should also avoid intentionally and unreasonably placing themselves in positions in which they have no alternative to using deadly force.”
Additionally, the handbook continues, “DHS law enforcement officers (LEOs) should seek to employ tactics and techniques that effectively bring an incident under control while promoting the safety of LEOs and the public, and that minimize the risk of unintended injury or serious property damage.” Finally, the handbook states in no uncertain terms, “The use of excessive force is unlawful and will not be tolerated.”
Despite these official rules, no administrative action has occurred against Ross, and Pretti’s killers were put on administrative leave with no criminal charges or punishments. Ross is being represented by lawyer Chris Madel, a Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, and both Ross’s and the Pretti killers’ actions are being defended by the Trump Administration.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called both Good and Pretti “domestic terrorist[s].” She said Good attempted to “weaponize her car and “attempted to run” over an officer. Noem also stated “the facts” of Pretti’s case are that Alex Pretti wanted “to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement.” Vice President JD Vance has also defended Ross, saying that he acted “in self-defense,” and Good ”tried to ram” Ross with her car. Vance also reposted an unproven claim that Pretti was “an assassin” who “tried to murder federal agents.”
None of these claims has been proven true, nor is there any evidence that clearly backs up these statements from the Trump Administration.
Actions that have been taken by the Trump Administration, however, include the FBI, headed by Kash Patel, a known Trump loyalist, taking over the investigation into Good’s death, blocking local authorities from conducting their own investigations, and withholding crucial evidence from Minneapolis’s state prosecutors.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is opening an investigation into the now-widowed Becca Good under the premise of her and Renee Good “assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers and judges.” The DOJ is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who are known democrats and critics of Trump’s immigration plans, and especially of the ones in Minnesota. And finally, the DOJ refused to open an investigation into Jonathan Ross and Renee Good’s death.
If you dislike ICE and its actions, there are things you can do to make sure deaths like Renee Good’s and Alex Pretti’s won’t happen again.
Peaceful protests are legal and protected under the Constitution. Already, protests have erupted across the nation, calling for justice for Renee Good and Alex Pretti, the shutdown of federal raids, and the stoppage of ICE.
Education is incredibly important. Research and educate yourself from trusted sources to gain a clear picture of the situation. Share with your neighbors, your family, and your friends. The more people who know, the more people who can help stop and change any flow of propaganda and lies that may be present in the USA, and protect the people who may not have the money or resources to raise their voices.
Stay safe. Carry your safety whistles, stay in groups, know your rights, and keep your phones on record. Don’t escalate, and keep gatherings calm. Be careful. Be safe.
Rest in peace, Renee Good, Alex Pretti. May your death never be repeated.
