Ryan Coogler used his time on stage during the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala on Tuesday (Jan. 13) to remember Renee Good, the 37-year-old woman who was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis earlier this month.
The filmmaker, fresh off a Cinematic and Box Office Achievement win for Sinners at the 2026 Golden Globes, was on hand for Tuesday’s New York City event to accept the organization’s Best Original Screenplay honor.
During his speech, Coogler recalled his and Michael B. Jordan’s first time at an NBR gala with Fruitvale Station over a decade ago. That film marked Coogler’s feature directorial debut, with its story based on the 2009 fatal shooting of Oscar Grant in Oakland. Grant, 22, was killed by transit officer Johannes Mehserle, who was ultimately convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
“I was young and naive and I thought the movie was gonna change the world and make it so that we don’t see people executed by civil service on camera anymore,” Coogler said on Tuesday. “The year was 2014. I was proven wrong and wrong again. It’s tough to be here and not think about Minnesota.”
Coogler continued: “My heart is there right now. We got an incredible production designer from that city. … Tina Anderson takes care of my movies, takes care of Quentin’s movies, she’s working on The Odyssey right now. My heart is broken for where she’s from. I can’t be here and not think about Renee.”
Good’s killing was also referenced at this past weekend’s Globes ceremony, with several stars, including Jean Smart of Hacks, seen wearing “Be Good” pins in her honor. Ariana Grande, meanwhile, opted for an “ICE Out” pin.
