Heartbreaking Tribute on the Streets of Minneapolis In the shadow of tragedy, where a beloved mother and poet was gunned down by an ICE agent just days ago, one artist is pouring their soul onto canvas right there on the sidewalk.
A massive, life-size portrait of Renee Nicole Good—37-year-old mom of three, wife, poet, and “one of the kindest people”—is taking shape steps away from the very spot on Portland Avenue where she was fatally shot on January 7. Artist Noval Noir is painting live as the community gathers, cries, leaves flowers, and watches in stunned silence.
Her wife says Renee “nurtured kindness” and was out caring for neighbors when it happened. Protests are spreading nationwide, demands for justice grow louder, but this artwork… it’s turning raw grief into something beautiful and unforgettable.
Is this the most powerful memorial you’ve seen? Or just another heartbreaking reminder of a life stolen too soon? 
Watch the brushstrokes tell her story—share if her memory deserves to be seen.
Amid ongoing protests and national outrage over the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old U.S. citizen by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, a local artist has drawn crowds to a makeshift memorial by painting a large-scale portrait of the victim directly at the scene of her death.
Noval Noir, a Twin Cities-based artist, has been working on a life-size painting of Renee Nicole Good since Friday at the intersection of 34th Street and Portland Avenue in south Minneapolis. The location marks the spot where Good was shot in the head on the morning of January 7 during an encounter with ICE agents. The artwork, created live on the sidewalk near piles of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes, has become a focal point for mourners and passersby seeking to honor Good’s memory.
Good, a mother of three, poet, and community member described by family and neighbors as deeply compassionate, was killed when an ICE agent fired into her vehicle. Authorities have released limited details about the incident, but video evidence and witness accounts indicate the shooting occurred around 9:30 a.m. after Good stopped in the area. She was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead shortly after. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by federal officials and local law enforcement.
The Minneapolis Police Department responded to the scene and confirmed the fatality, while ICE issued a brief statement noting the agent acted in response to an encounter but providing no further specifics on the circumstances. The agency has not released body camera footage or additional evidence, citing the active probe. Protests erupted almost immediately in Minneapolis and have since spread to other cities, with demonstrators calling for accountability, an end to what they describe as excessive force by federal agents, and reforms to immigration enforcement practices.
Good’s family has shared emotional tributes emphasizing her character. Her wife, Becca Good, released a statement through MPR News describing Renee as someone who “nurtured kindness” and whose presence made people feel good. Born Renee Nicole Ganger in Colorado Springs, she had recently moved to the Twin Cities area. Relatives told outlets including The Minnesota Star Tribune and CNN that she was an award-winning poet who loved singing, writing, and caring for others. Her father recalled her as warm, witty, and always willing to help neighbors.
The memorial at Portland Avenue has grown steadily since the shooting, with community members leaving signs reading “Justice for Renee” and photos of Good smiling with her family. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) called Good a devoted resident who was “caring for her neighbors” at the time of her death, while the Minneapolis City Council issued a joint statement expressing shock and sorrow.
It is in this atmosphere of grief and activism that Noval Noir began the portrait. Coverage from FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, the Star Tribune, and social media shows the artist working outdoors, brush in hand, as people stop to watch, take photos, and offer words of encouragement. The painting captures Good in a serene, almost ethereal pose, with some observers comparing it stylistically to classical works for its emotional depth and beauty.
Noir has spoken briefly to media about the project, explaining it as a way for artists to “show up” in times of tragedy. “This is how we process, how we honor,” the artist reportedly said in one interview clip. The live creation has amplified the memorial’s visibility, drawing more visitors and media attention. Posts on Instagram, Reddit, and Facebook show the evolving artwork alongside comments praising its power to transmute pain into something hopeful.
The incident has reignited debates over federal law enforcement tactics, particularly ICE operations in urban areas. Critics argue the shooting highlights risks to bystanders and U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement actions, while supporters of the agency maintain officers face dangerous situations requiring split-second decisions. The Trump administration has referred to Good in some statements as linked to activities labeled “domestic terrorism,” though no charges or formal accusations against her have been detailed publicly. Family and advocates have strongly rejected such characterizations, pointing to her role as a mother and poet.
Good’s background includes no prior criminal record mentioned in reports, and she was a U.S. citizen with deep community ties. Her death has prompted calls from figures including poet Amanda Gorman, who posted a tribute condemning violence by ICE and honoring Good’s creative spirit.
As the portrait nears completion, it serves as both a personal homage and a public statement. Community members have described pausing at the site to reflect, with some leaving additional offerings near the easel. The artwork’s placement—just steps from the vigil—ensures it remains part of the evolving memorial space.
Investigations continue on multiple fronts. Federal authorities are reviewing the shooting for potential civil rights violations, while local officials monitor for any state-level implications. No timeline has been given for releasing more evidence or concluding the probe.
For Good’s loved ones, the focus remains on remembrance. Her obituary and family statements highlight a life filled with love, creativity, and service rather than the violent end. The portrait by Noval Noir has become an unexpected but poignant addition to that narrative—one that captures not just her likeness, but the community’s collective mourning and demand for answers.
As Minneapolis grapples with the loss, the street-side canvas stands as a silent yet powerful witness: a reminder that even in tragedy, art can preserve humanity and spark conversation. Whether it leads to policy changes or simply provides solace to those who knew her best, the tribute underscores how one person’s story can resonate far beyond a single intersection.
