Ryan Coogler Turns Awards Night Emotional, Highlights Outrage Over Minneapolis ICE Shooting

At a night meant for celebration in the film world, acclaimed writer-director Ryan Coogler took a moment to address a tragedy gripping the nation. While accepting the Best Original Screenplay award at the National Board of Review Awards in New York Tuesday, Coogler became visibly emotional as he spoke about the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman who was shot and killed last week by an ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent on a street in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Coogler told the crowd that although he was being honored for his work on Sinners, his thoughts were with people in Minnesota struggling to process Good’s death. He referenced a previous awards appearance in 2014 when he spoke about Fruitvale Station — a film inspired by the police killing of Oscar Grant — saying he once hoped such films might help prevent future deaths. “It’s painfully clear there’s a lot of changing left to be done,” he said.

A Woman’s Death That Reverberated Nationwide

Good’s death on January 7, 2026, has become a flashpoint in ongoing debates about federal law enforcement tactics. The incident occurred during a large ICE operation in Minneapolis that has drawn sharp criticism from local officials, civil rights advocates, and communities nationwide.

According to authorities, an ICE agent fired on Good while she was in her SUV on a city street. Federal officials, including Homeland Security leadership, defended the shooting as self-defense, claiming she posed a threat with her vehicle. But bystander video and eyewitness accounts have challenged that narrative, showing Good’s vehicle moving only slightly as officers approached.

Outrage and Political Fallout

Good was remembered by family and friends as a devoted mother, poet, and someone deeply engaged in her community, not as a violent threat. Her mother described her as “one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” and community members have held vigils and protests near the scene of the shooting.

The shooting has sparked protests in Minneapolis and in cities across the United States, with demonstrators calling for accountability from ICE and federal authorities. Several federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned in protest over how the case has been handled, and state officials have criticized the Justice Department for declining to open a civil rights investigation into the killing.

Political leaders have also weighed in. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has strongly condemned the use of force and demanded a reduction in ICE’s presence in the city. Some national lawmakers have called for greater oversight of immigration enforcement agencies.

A Moment of Reflection Amid Celebration

Coogler’s remarks at the awards gala underline how deeply the Minneapolis shooting has resonated with people far beyond Minnesota’s borders. His emotional reflection turned what would have been a traditional acceptance speech into a moment that acknowledged national pain and brought attention back to calls for justice and reform.

As the country continues to debate the role and methods of federal law enforcement, Good’s death has become a powerful and personal symbol for many — one that artists, activists, and families alike are drawing attention to in the hope of preventing further loss.