An independent autopsy commissioned by the family of Renee Good, the Twin Cities mother fatally shot by a federal immigration agent, found that she was struck by three gunshots, including one to the head, as stated by her family's lawyers. According to NBC News, the independent medical pathologist found that Good suffered wounds to her head, right chest, and right forearm, along with a graze wound.
Released by the Chicago-based law firm Romanucci and Blandin, the independent autopsy aimed to provide "continued transparency" with the public, highlighted in a statement by attorney Antonio M. Romanucci, representing Good's family. In a statement obtained by NBC Chicago, Romanucci asserted, "The video evidence depicting the events of January 7, 2026, is clear, particularly when viewed through the standards of reasonable policing and totality of circumstances." Details from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office regarding Good's death remain unshared with either the family or their legal team.
The events leading to Good's death unfolded after an encounter with Jonathan Ross, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, on January 7 in Minneapolis. Recorded by onlookers, the scene showed Good's partner exchanging words with Ross before she attempted to drive away, leading to the sound of gunshots and Good's SUV crashing into a parked vehicle.
Following the incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Good of being a “domestic terrorist,” a claim made without evidence, and asserted Ross acted in self-defense. A DHS official later told NBC News that Ross sustained internal bleeding but did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin conveyed in an email Wednesday night that the outcome was "entirely preventable," stressing the consequences of resisting law enforcement's commands.
In contrast, Good's attorneys describe Good and her partner as "responsible community members who lived peacefully and did not engage in harmful conduct toward others," including the federal agents involved on January 7, 2026. The FBI has taken on the investigation of the shooting, with state officials reporting that they have been barred from participating in the probe. Meanwhile, local officials, including Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have criticized the federal immigration operations and questioned the justification of Good's shooting.
