Minneapolis Shooting: Calling Renee Good a 'Violent Rioter' Contradicted by Released Video

Why This Matters for NY-23

When federal agents kill American citizens, constituents deserve accurate information from their representative — not repetition of agency talking points that video evidence contradicts. If Langworthy will repeat false DHS characterizations of a mother shot through her car window, what other official narratives might he pass along without verification? Trust in government requires accountability, not blind defense of agency claims.

Statement

Source: Constituent Letter Response, February 4, 2026

Constituent wrote expressing concerns about the ICE officer-involved shooting.

Langworthy’s response:

“As you know, on January 7, 2026, ICE officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, were conducting targeted operations when a violent rioter weaponized her vehicle in an attempt to run over law enforcement officers. An ICE officer, fearing for his life, acted in self-defense. Tragically, a life was lost in this incident.”

Who Was Renee Nicole Good?

• Age: 37 years old
• Occupation: Mother
• Circumstance: Had just dropped her son off at school
• Status: American citizen
• Criminal record: None reported related to “rioting”

The Video Evidence

The video footage of the incident has been publicly released.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly stated after viewing the video:

“Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is bullshit.”

He was referring to DHS claims that Good tried to run over agents.

What the released video shows:

• Good was shot through her car window
• The DHS narrative about her “weaponizing her vehicle” is contradicted by the footage
• No evidence of the “violent rioter” behavior Langworthy described

Fact-Check: “Violent Rioter”

Langworthy’s Claim: “a violent rioter weaponized her vehicle”

The Evidence:

Verdict: FALSE

Langworthy’s characterization of Renee Good as a “violent rioter” who “weaponized her vehicle” is contradicted by:

1. The publicly released video footage of the incident
2. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s assessment that the DHS narrative is “bullshit”
3. The context: Good had just dropped her son at school
4. No evidence she was involved in any riot or protest

What Langworthy Gets Partially Right

He does say:

“I strongly believe that this tragedy should be thoroughly examined and investigated to ensure all the facts are clear and accountability is upheld.”

However, his letter pre-judges the facts by characterizing Good as a “violent rioter” before any investigation is complete, while simultaneously calling for investigation.

Contrast: Alex Pretti Response

In a separate letter the same day about Alex Pretti (the second Minneapolis shooting victim), Langworthy wrote:

“I also think Secretary Noem’s comments to label Alex Pretti as a domestic terrorist were unfortunate and out of line.”

The inconsistency: Langworthy criticizes Noem for labeling Pretti a “domestic terrorist” without evidence, but accepts and repeats the DHS characterization of Good as a “violent rioter” — which is equally contradicted by evidence.

The Broader Context

This letter connects directly to:

1. The February 2026 Shutdown: The Minneapolis shootings were the direct cause of the DHS funding dispute
2. Langworthy’s Shutdown Post: He blamed Democrats for “refusing to fund DHS” while characterizing the victims as violent
3. His claim that tensions arose before the shootings: The timeline shows the shootings caused the dispute

Form Letter Evidence

Tracking ID: [YRWKLY-7LYJ2]

Same hidden HTML tracking code as all other documented responses, indicating this is a form letter.

Constituent notes: “Here he calls Renee Good violent (2nd paragraph)”

Questions This Raises

1. On what evidence does Langworthy base the characterization of Good as a “violent rioter”?
2. If the Minneapolis Mayor says video evidence contradicts DHS claims, shouldn’t Langworthy wait for investigation before pre-judging?
3. Why accept DHS characterization of Good but criticize Noem’s characterization of Pretti?
4. How can he call for “investigation” while simultaneously stating conclusions about what happened?

Related Fact-Checks

• Shutdown Statement: Multiple Misleading Claims

Sources

• Constituent letter response (February 4, 2026)
• Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: Public statement on video evidence (January 2026)
• NPR: Coverage of Minneapolis shootings and federal response
• DHS statements on the shooting
• News coverage of Renee Nicole Good

Note: This entry documents publicly available information from official correspondence and news coverage. Readers may draw their own conclusions.

Research contribution: Constituent submission via LangworthyWatch

In Plain Language

Renee Good was a 37-year-old mother. She had just dropped her son at school. She was shot through her car window by an ICE agent.

DHS claimed she “weaponized her vehicle” to run over agents. The Minneapolis Mayor watched the video and said that’s “bullshit.” The released footage contradicts DHS claims.

Langworthy’s letter to constituents: “a violent rioter weaponized her vehicle in an attempt to run over law enforcement officers.”

He repeated DHS’s false narrative. He called a mother a “violent rioter” with no evidence she was involved in any riot. And in the same letter, he says the incident “should be thoroughly examined and investigated” — while pre-judging what happened.

Interestingly, when DHS Secretary Noem called the other Minneapolis victim (Alex Pretti) a “domestic terrorist,” Langworthy said that was “unfortunate and out of line.” Same situation, opposite response.

Last updated: February 9, 2026