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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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An independent autopsy commissioned by the family of Renee Good, the woman fatally shot by an immigration agent in Minneapolis earlier this month, found she was shot at least three times, sustaining wounds to her head, arm and breast, lawyers for the family said.
The preliminary results of the autopsy were described by the law firm, Romanucci & Blandin, in a news release sent to Newsweek on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the law firm told Newsweek the firm would not be releasing the full autopsy report "at this time."
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Why It Matters
Intense protests have erupted in Minneapolis since immigration agent Jonathan Ross shot Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, while she was in her vehicle on January 7 amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other Trump administration officials have defended the agent, saying he acted in self-defense after he believed she was trying to run him or other agents over with her vehicle. State and local officials have rejected the Trump administration's characterization and called for ICE to leave the city. Videos of the shooting have raised questions about whether it was a case of self-defense.
Good’s family hired Romanucci & Blandin to conduct their own investigation of the fatal shooting after the Trump administration has sought to investigate Good’s alleged ties to organized anti-ICE groups and denied the need for a civil rights investigation into Ross’ use of force. Local leaders also expressed alarm after the FBI and Department of Justice blocked the state from investigating the fatal shooting, leaving the probe solely to the FBI.
What to Know
One of the gunshots struck Good on the left forearm, causing soft tissue hemorrhage, and another entered her right breast without penetrating any major organs, according to the preliminary findings of the autopsy described by the lawyers.
Neither of those wounds were immediately life-threatening, the autopsy said.
A third bullet entered the left side of her head near the temple and exited on the right side of her head, the autopsy said.
Good also sustained a graze wound that was “consistent with a firearm injury, but with no penetration.”
The law firm said the autopsy was conducted by a “highly respected and credentialed” medical pathologist, but did not name the individual.
What People Are Saying
Antonio M. Romanucci, the lead lawyer for the Good family, said in a statement shared with Newsweek: “We believe the evidence we are gathering and will continue to gather in our investigation will suffice to prove our case. 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. Additionally, our legal team will continue its unwavering and proactive advocacy for Renee’s life and her family.”
Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to Newsweek that Good "was using her vehicle to block-in law enforcement officers and impede lawful operations."
McLaughlin said: "She then proceeded to weaponize her vehicle, a deadly weapon, and hit a federal law enforcement officer. The ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement, and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots.:
She added: "Peaceful protest is a sacred First Amendment right. This was not that. If you impede law enforcement operations, ignore law commands, and use a deadly weapon to kill or cause bodily harm to a federal law enforcement office there are dangerous, and in this case deadly, consequences. This was entirely preventable.”
Renee Good's parents, Tim and Donna Ganger, and her four siblings, said in **an earlier statement shared with **Newsweek:**** "We want to thank everyone who has reached out in support of Renee and our family. The kind of unending care we’ve been given during this time is exactly the kind that she gave to everyone. Nae was the beautiful light of our family and brought joy to anyone she met. She was relentlessly hopeful and optimistic which was contagious. We all already miss her more than words could ever express.”
President Donald Trump said during a news conference marking his first year back in office on Tuesday: “You know, when the woman was shot, I felt terribly about that. And I understand both sides of it.”
He added: “You know they’re going to make mistakes sometimes. ICE is going to be too rough with somebody or, you know, they deal with rough people. They’re going to make a mistake. Sometimes it can happen, we feel terribly. I felt horribly when I was told that the young woman who was, had the tragedy. It's a tragedy. It's a horrible thing.”
What Happens Next
The results of an official autopsy conducted by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office have not yet been released to Good’s family or legal team, according to the law firm.
The FBI’s investigation of the shooting is ongoing.
Update 1/22/26, 9:40 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with a comment from a spokesperson for the law firm and a statement from Tricia McLaughlin.
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