A tense encounter unfolded on March 15, 2024, in Minneapolis when a bystander, who identified himself as a physician, attempted to provide medical assistance to Renee Good, a woman shot while fleeing from federal agents. Video footage captured the exchange, highlighting a debate over the role of trained medical personnel in emergency situations where law enforcement is involved.
As Good lay unresponsive in her vehicle on Portland Avenue, the bystander called out, “Can I check a pulse?” A federal agent firmly instructed him to “back up,” responding dismissively, “I don’t care,” despite the medical professional’s insistence on his credentials. Neither the agent nor the bystander has been publicly identified.
Good was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The circumstances of her shooting and the subsequent medical response have raised questions about the protocols governing bystander assistance at crime scenes.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Minnesota’s Good Samaritan law mandates that licensed medical professionals assist individuals in need at emergency scenes. Yet, law enforcement has the authority to accept or deny such aid as they evaluate the safety of the scene. Medical and emergency services officials explained to the Star Tribune that this authority is particularly significant in chaotic situations like shootings.
Dr. Steven Miles, a retired physician and bioethics expert from the University of Minnesota, noted that police have historically welcomed assistance from medical professionals during vehicle accidents. However, outcomes may differ in high-stakes incidents. He indicated that officers may restrict access to bystanders in incidents where scene management is critical.
Concerns about the authenticity of bystander claims also contribute to the hesitance among law enforcement agents. There have been instances, particularly during protests, where individuals have misrepresented their medical qualifications. This uncertainty complicates the decision-making process for officers at the scene.
Calls for Policy Review
The refusal of aid at the scene of Good’s shooting echoes a previous incident involving off-duty firefighter Genevieve Hansen, who testified that police denied her attempts to assist George Floyd in 2020. Such cases highlight ongoing tensions between medical professionals and law enforcement during critical moments.
The exchange between the bystander and federal agents concluded when a second agent intervened, assuring the physician that emergency medical services were en route. Despite this, the spokesperson for Hennepin County Medical Center refrained from commenting on whether immediate bystander intervention could have altered the outcome, citing the ongoing investigation.
Dr. Miles emphasized the necessity of assessing the entire emergency response process, particularly regarding the policies of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) concerning bystander medical assistance. He suggested that if agents were present who could provide medical aid, the timeliness of their response should be scrutinized.
Additionally, witness reports indicated that federal vehicles obstructed access for the Hennepin EMS ambulance, potentially delaying critical care. If verified, these claims would suggest significant deficiencies in policy, training, and operational execution by ICE during this incident.
While Hennepin EMS has established protocols for engaging with bystander doctors when ambulance crews are present, the guidelines for situations before paramedics arrive remain ambiguous. The Minneapolis Police Department does not have a documented policy regarding the acceptance of bystander medical help, raising further questions about the clarity of procedures in emergency scenarios.
As discussions continue regarding the dynamics of medical assistance in law enforcement contexts, the federal agencies involved have not provided specific guidance on how agents should handle offers of help from bystanders. A policy memo does require agents to seek or provide medical attention following the resolution of safety threats, but it lacks clarity on the role of bystanders.
The case of Renee Good underscores the need for a comprehensive review of emergency response protocols, balancing the imperative for public safety with the rights of trained medical professionals to offer assistance in life-threatening situations.
