The family of Renee Good has spoken out following the tragic killing of another individual by federal law enforcement over the weekend. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse working at a Minneapolis veterans’ care unit, was fatally shot in broad daylight by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers while trying to assist a fellow protester. His family has mourned the loss of this “good man” in a poignant statement criticizing the Trump administration’s support for the incident, the second such event to shock the city of Minneapolis in recent weeks.
In a separate statement, relatives of Renee Good, the first victim of an ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis, expressed their deep distress over the incident. They emphasized that ICE agents, deployed to the city by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), should leave while residents are left to cope with their presence. The family urged Americans to witness the disturbing events that unfolded and demanded an immediate halt to ICE operations in Minneapolis, stating that the agency had exceeded its mandate of deporting criminal non-citizens.
The tragic death of Ms. Good on January 7, shot by an ICE officer while in her car, was initially labeled as an act against a “domestic terrorist.” Similar accusations were made against Mr. Pretti following his untimely death, although evidence supporting these claims has not been presented by the authorities. Videos of both incidents appear to contradict the government’s version of events, with footage suggesting Ms. Good was attempting to drive away and Mr. Pretti was not posing an immediate threat to federal officials.
Footage of Mr. Pretti’s shooting shows him holding a phone in one hand and not brandishing a gun, which he legally possessed. Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama highlighted these videos, insinuating that the Trump administration was dismissing the incidents without proper investigation. They called for an end to such violence and emphasized the need for peace in their statement.
The Obama’s also pointed out that the administration’s claims were at odds with video evidence and urged for a resolution to the ongoing violence.