Private Autopsy Details Three Gunshot Wounds in Minneapolis Killing
A private autopsy has determined that Renee Good, the unarmed US citizen killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis earlier this month, was shot three times. The findings, released late on Wednesday, reveal the 37-year-old mother sustained gunshot wounds to her forearm, breast, and head during the incident on 7 January.
Specific Injuries Documented in Preliminary Report
The independent postmortem, commissioned by Chicago-based lawyers representing Good's family and described as preliminary, identified three clear gunshot injuries. According to reports from ABC7 News and the New York Times, two of the shots were not immediately life-threatening. One bullet struck Good's left forearm, while another entered her body through her right breast but missed major organs.
The third and most severe shot struck the left side of her head near the temple and exited on the right side. The examination also noted a graze wound consistent with a firearm injury that did not penetrate. These findings align with initial incident reports that documented two apparent gunshot wounds to the right side of her chest and a possible gunshot wound with protruding tissue on the left side of her head.
Legal and Political Fallout Intensifies
The release of the autopsy results has intensified the legal and political battle surrounding Good's death. Her family's attorneys, Romanucci and Blandin, have declined to release the full report but confirmed they are continuing to gather evidence as part of a civil investigation into the shooting.
The case has created significant tension in Minneapolis, where Good was reportedly acting as a legal observer during a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. The Trump administration has repeatedly characterized Good as a domestic terrorist who aimed her car at the ICE agent, claiming the officer fired in self-defense.
However, multiple video clips of the encounter appear to contradict this narrative, showing Good steering away from the agent as she attempted to drive away. At least two of the shots were fired from the side, according to visual evidence.
Federal and State Authorities Clash Over Investigation
The justice department has stated that available video evidence cleared officer Jonathan Ross and that no criminal investigation is taking place. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized this position during a Fox News interview, stating that the department doesn't investigate based solely on political pressure from congressmen or governors.
This stance has angered Minnesota state officials who feel excluded from the FBI inquiry. They note that federal authorities are instead investigating Good's widow and Democratic Minnesota leaders including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, rather than focusing on the officer who fired the fatal shots.
The lack of a criminal investigation has prompted a wave of federal prosecutors to resign in protest. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has escalated its support for increased ICE enforcement activities, which have sometimes resulted in violent confrontations with protesters and the arrests of US citizens and children.
Political Implications and Upcoming Developments
The case continues to have significant political ramifications. Vice-President JD Vance is expected to visit Minneapolis and speak in defense of Donald Trump's decision to deploy 3,000 federal law enforcement officers to the area. This move is likely to further inflame tensions in a city already grappling with the aftermath of the shooting and its implications for immigration enforcement practices.
The Good family has described their experience as an unimaginable loss and continues to call for empathy and justice as legal proceedings unfold. The discrepancy between official narratives and autopsy findings, combined with conflicting video evidence, suggests this case will remain at the center of national debates about immigration enforcement, police accountability, and federal overreach for the foreseeable future.
