Bystander Physician’s Aid Denied at Minneapolis Shooting Scene

Minneapolis was the scene of a tragic event on March 15, 2023, when Renee Good was shot in the head while attempting to evade federal immigration agents. She was later pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center. This incident has sparked a significant debate regarding the role of bystanders with medical training at crime scenes, particularly when law enforcement is involved.

A tense interaction occurred between a bystander, who claimed to be a physician, and federal agents at the shooting site. Video footage captures the moment when the bystander, standing across from Good’s incapacitated body inside her crashed vehicle, urgently requested to check her pulse. An agent responded firmly, instructing him to “back up” and dismissing his claim of being a physician with a blunt, “I don’t care.”

While neither the bystander nor the agent has been publicly identified, experts in emergency response suggest both parties were likely acting in accordance with their training. The question remains whether the bystander’s intervention could have altered the outcome for Good, who was taken to the hospital shortly after the shooting.

According to Minnesota’s Good Samaritan law, licensed medical professionals are required to assist injured individuals at emergency scenes. However, when law enforcement is present, they retain the authority to accept or deny assistance based on their assessment of the situation’s safety and security, as reported by medical and emergency services officials.

Dr. Steven Miles, a retired physician and bioethics professor at the University of Minnesota, emphasized that, while police officers have previously welcomed help from bystanders in vehicle accidents, circumstances can change drastically in high-stress situations such as mass shootings. “A bystander can be told to stand down as part of the scene management,” he noted.

One concern cited by law enforcement is the potential misrepresentation of medical credentials by bystanders, particularly in chaotic environments. Emergency medical services (EMS) officials have indicated that there have been instances where individuals have overstated their medical expertise during protests and other emergency situations.

The issue of bystander medical assistance has surfaced in the past. Genevieve Hansen, an off-duty firefighter, testified that police officers ignored her pleas to assist George Floyd as he was restrained in 2020, leading to tragic consequences.

In the case of Good’s shooting, the bystander physician ultimately retreated after a second federal agent reassured him that EMS was on the way. The agent stated, “Listen, I understand… Just give us a second. We have medics on scene.”

Questions regarding the emergency response to Good’s injuries remain unresolved. A spokesperson for Hennepin County Medical Center declined to comment on the specifics of the incident, citing an ongoing investigation handled by other agencies.

Dr. Miles called for a comprehensive review of the entire EMS response, particularly regarding the policies of the federal Department of Homeland Security and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division concerning bystander medical assistance. If reports are accurate indicating that federal vehicles obstructed EMS access to the scene, these failures could reflect a significant breakdown in policy and training protocols.

Hennepin EMS has established clear guidelines for bystander involvement when medical crews are present. Paramedics can defer medical decision-making to licensed physicians who present appropriate credentials and agree to accompany patients to hospitals. Alternatively, paramedics may seek assistance from bystanders without assuming responsibility for care.

The Minneapolis Police Department, however, does not have a written policy outlining when officers should accept or refuse medical help from bystanders. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security has not provided any guidance regarding bystander involvement in emergency situations despite a policy memo requiring agents to seek medical attention post-use-of-force incidents.

As discussions continue regarding the intersection of medical assistance and law enforcement, the implications for emergency response protocols remain critical. The tragic death of Renee Good has reopened conversations about the rights and responsibilities of bystanders in emergency situations, particularly when the stakes are at their highest.