An independent autopsy commissioned by the family of Renee Good has revealed that the Minneapolis woman sustained three distinct gunshot wounds when she was fatally shot by an immigration officer earlier this month, according to attorneys representing her family.
The medical examination, conducted by what the legal team described as a highly credentialed and respected independent pathologist, documented injuries to three separate areas of Good’s body. Attorneys Antonio M. Romanucci and his colleagues released these findings in a statement Wednesday.
According to the autopsy report, Good suffered a gunshot wound to her left forearm and another to her right breast. The attorneys indicated that neither of these two injuries would have been immediately life-threatening, as the chest wound did not pierce any major organs.
The fatal injury, however, was a gunshot wound that entered the left side of Good’s head near the temple and exited on the right side. The examination also noted what appeared to be a graze wound, though additional details about this injury were not immediately provided.
The January 7 incident has raised serious questions about the use of force by immigration enforcement officers. Romanucci, serving as lead counsel for the family, expressed confidence in the strength of their developing case.
“We believe the evidence we are gathering and will continue to gather in our investigation will suffice to prove our case,” Romanucci stated. He referenced video evidence that reportedly captured the events of that day, though the full contents of such recordings have not been made public.
The decision by Good’s family to commission an independent autopsy reflects a growing trend among families who have lost loved ones in officer-involved shootings. Such private examinations often serve as a counterpoint to official government autopsies, providing families with their own medical assessment of the circumstances surrounding a death.
The case comes at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding immigration enforcement practices and the protocols governing the use of deadly force by federal officers. While immigration officers are authorized to carry firearms and use force when necessary to protect themselves or others, each shooting undergoes review to determine whether the use of force was justified under the circumstances.
The attorneys have indicated they will continue their investigation into the shooting, suggesting that additional evidence may be forthcoming. The release of the independent autopsy findings represents an early step in what is likely to be a lengthy legal process as the family seeks answers about the events that led to Good’s death.
Federal authorities have not yet released their own findings regarding the incident, and it remains unclear what led to the confrontation that resulted in the shooting. The investigation into the matter continues.
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