A vigil for Renee Good in Hartford took a chaotic turn on Thursday evening. The gathering, held to honor the memory of Good, who was shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, was disrupted when vehicles emerged from a federal courthouse parking garage.
Incident Overview
During the vigil, which took place on the west side of the Abraham Ribicoff Courthouse after 6 p.m., two vehicles—a gray sedan and a white van—drove into the crowd, prompting panic among attendees.
- Location: Abraham Ribicoff Courthouse, Hartford.
- Time: After 6 p.m. on January 8, 2026.
- Victim: One woman was knocked over by the gray sedan.
- Casualties: Several attendees were pepper-sprayed.
Details of the Confrontation
Witnesses reported that protesters believed a detainee was being taken away when they stepped in front of the gray sedan. The vehicle then forced its way through the crowd, injuring one woman. Arjun Patel, a witness, described how he helped prevent further injury.
Following the sedan, a white van with New Hampshire license plates drove out. A protester threw an object, breaking a window. The van then reversed and sped away, scattering attendees.
Aftermath of the Vigil
During the chaos, at least six individuals were reportedly pepper-sprayed by law enforcement officials. The Hartford Police indicated that officers from either ICE or Federal Protective Services operated the vehicles involved. The person struck by the sedan declined medical assistance, and no arrests were made.
Reactions from Attendees
Sally Grossman, who attended the vigil with her family, expressed shock at the events. She explained that this was her first encounter with violent protest. While the vigil continued on the west side of the courthouse, leaders from various civil rights groups spoke to the gathered crowd.
- Attendee: Dan Piper, a teacher, emphasized the need to resist oppression.
- Activist: Constanza Segovia highlighted the violent potential of ICE based on Good’s death.
- Official: Senator Matt Lesser reported limited understanding of the disturbance.
Moving Forward
The events raised questions about public safety and civil rights. Senator Lesser mentioned his intention to propose legislation aimed at safeguarding the constitutional rights of Connecticut residents. This incident during the vigil for Renee Good underscores the urgent need for clarity and accountability from law enforcement agencies.
