The Leadership Team of the Church of the Brethren\u2019s Michigan District has written a letter \u201cwith heavy hearts and profound sorrow over a series of tragic events that have shaken our nation and deeply burdened our consciences.\u201d The letter responded to recent violence related to immigration enforcement including the shootings of Ren\u00e9e Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs people of faith and disciples of Jesus Christ, we believe in the sanctity of every human life and the call to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice for all (Matthew 22:39; Micah 6:8),\u201d the letter said, in part. \u201cThe Gospel calls us to love our neighbors and to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We mourn with the families and communities of Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti and all of the lives who have been lost or harmed with no justification\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are deeply troubled by the broader context in which these killings occurred,\u201d the letter continued, \u201cthe escalation of federal immigration enforcement actions involving militarized tactics in American cities, and the apparent erosion of constitutional protections in the name of enforcement.\u201d The letter went on to call for several measures on the federal level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
January 26, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To the Members of the Michigan District of the Church of the Brethren, our neighbors throughout Michigan, and the wider community of faith<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We write today with heavy hearts and profound sorrow over a series of tragic events that have shaken our nation and deeply burdened our consciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On January 7, 2026, Ren\u00e9e Nicole Good, a 37-year-old United States citizen and mother of three, was fatally shot by an agent of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an immigration enforcement operation. Ms. Good was in her vehicle when she was struck multiple times by gunfire from a federal officer. She died at the scene despite efforts to save her life, and her death has since been officially ruled a homicide by medical examiners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just weeks later, on January 24, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and fellow U.S. citizen, was also killed by federal immigration enforcement agents while documenting and protesting these operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These losses\u2014two American lives taken by agents of the federal government\u2014have ignited national outrage and grief. Both Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti were civilians whose deaths have raised serious questions about the use of force by immigration enforcement and the lack of accountability that follows such actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As people of faith and disciples of Jesus Christ, we believe in the sanctity of every human life and the call to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice for all (Matthew 22:39; Micah 6:8). The Gospel calls us to love our neighbors and to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We mourn with the families and communities of Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti and all of the lives who have been lost or harmed with no justification. We recognize them not simply as statistics, but as beloved children of God\u2014mothers, nurses, neighbors, and human beings whose lives were cut short. We stand with those seeking transparency and accountability for these deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are deeply troubled by the broader context in which these killings occurred: the escalation of federal immigration enforcement actions involving militarized tactics in American cities, and the apparent erosion of constitutional protections in the name of enforcement. These events raise profound questions about government overreach, the proper limits of power, and the moral responsibility of public servants to safeguard life, dignity, and justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Church of the Brethren has long upheld principles of peace, justice, and reconciliation. We reject violence as a means of governance and call on our leaders\u2014local, state, and federal\u2014to pursue policies grounded in compassion, respect for human dignity, and adherence to both the spirit and letter of the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To that end, we call for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A full, transparent, and independent investigation into the killings of Ren\u00e9e Good and Alex Pretti, ensuring all evidence is examined and justice pursued without undue political influence;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We extend our prayers for comfort and healing to the families of Ren\u00e9e Good and Alex Pretti, to the communities of Minneapolis and across our nation touched by these tragedies, and to all who seek peace and justice in our land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
May God grant us wisdom, courage, and compassion to work together for a society where all life is respected, protected, and honored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In peace and love,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Michigan District Church of the Brethren Leadership Team: Gary Copenhaver, acting Team Leader; Byrl Shaver, Michigan District Executive; Leadership Team members Phil Collins, Joanne Emmerick, Stephanie Moats, Frank Polzin, Dan Rossman, Frances Townsend, Joe Wave<\/p>\n\n\n\n