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A Minnesota comedy club made the unexpected decision to cancel six fully booked shows by comedian Ben Bankas following a viral video of his performance, where he controversially joked about a woman fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, sparking public outrage.
Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St. Paul decided to cancel Bankas’ performances, originally slated for January 30 through February 1, after facing a wave of backlash. The controversy stemmed from jokes he made about Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three from Minneapolis, who recently lost her life in an incident involving federal immigration officials.
In response to the cancellation, Bankas took to Instagram to express his thoughts candidly.
Addressing his followers, he shared, “I just discovered that my shows in Minnesota have been canceled,” which elicited loud boos from the crowd.
He concluded his remarks with a defiant, “F–k ’em,” seemingly directed at the comedy club.
In the caption, Bankas wrote that he is “working on a new venue and dates for the fine people of Minnesota.”
His response comes after he posted an Instagram video on January 13, filmed during a show in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., just days after Good’s death.
In the clip, which has racked up more than 8.9 million views as of February 3, Bankas said, “Her last name was Good. That’s what I said after they shot her,” and also referred to Good’s wife as a “dog.” He also called Good “r—–ded.”
Good was shot and killed on January 7 after authorities said she swerved her vehicle toward an ICE officer.
Her death sparked protests in Minneapolis and beyond, intensifying scrutiny of federal agents’ use of force.
Tensions escalated further after another Minneapolis agitator, Alex Pretti, was shot and killed by federal agents on January 24.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other local leaders have publicly criticized ICE’s actions.
As Bankas’ clip gained traction, St. Paul residents began signaling plans to protest outside his upcoming shows, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune — a development that pushed the comedy venue to cancel.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, club owner Bill Collins said the decision came after weighing escalating risks.
“After discussions with, and concern from, public authorities, legal counsel and staff, combined with heightened threats, increasing media attention and civil disorder, we have determined the risks and related liabilities cannot be overcome,” Collins said in an email.
“A small club like ours does not have the needed resources to mitigate current risks,” he added.
“We are obligated to place the highest priority on the safety of our guests, staff and talent, and we are left with no option but to cancel.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Bankas and Collins for comment.
Collins, who has operated the club since 2007, told the Tribune the cancellations could cost him roughly $17,000.
He also said Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which represents Bankas, is demanding full compensation for the canceled shows because the comedian was prepared to perform.
According to Collins, CAA has also barred its other clients from booking the club until the dispute is resolved.
Bankas was born in Toronto and is now based in Austin, Texas.
He hosts YouTube’s “The Tanakas Show,” which his website says reaches more than 10,000 monthly listeners.