The fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent will not be federally investigated, according to the U.S. deputy attorney general. This decision leaves the investigation solely in the hands of Hennepin County officials, who are facing challenges due to the lack of crucial evidence provided by federal authorities.
Renee Good, a mother of three, was shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7 while in her SUV in a residential neighborhood in Hennepin County. An independent autopsy commissioned by Good’s family revealed that she sustained at least three gunshot wounds, with the most severe one entering near her left temple and exiting on the right side of her head. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office classified her death as a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is the only entity conducting a criminal investigation into the case. County Attorney Mary Moriarty mentioned the challenges they face, including the absence of key pieces of evidence such as Good’s car, Ross’s gun, and shell casings taken by federal authorities. The office has encouraged residents to provide any potential evidence related to the incident.
Antonio Romanucci, representing Good’s family, emphasized the importance of obtaining Ross’s cellphone, which was used as a body-worn camera during the shooting. He highlighted the significance of preserving crucial evidence for a successful prosecution. Despite the absence of some critical evidence, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is receiving assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate the case further.
The family expressed disagreement with the deputy attorney general’s decision not to pursue a federal investigation, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly examining any potential civil rights violations. The FBI’s involvement in a criminal civil rights probe remains unclear, as they declined to comment on the status of their investigation into Good’s death.