Joseph Douglas Goodwin, a 17-year-old Native American male from Minneapolis, Minnesota, tragically lost his life on April 29, 2025, in a violent shooting incident that claimed multiple victims. The shooting occurred just before midnight near the intersection of 25th Street East and Bloomington Avenue. Authorities later confirmed that Goodwin, along with two other victims—Merelle Joan White, a 20-year-old Native American woman from Red Lake, and Evan Ramon Denny, a 27-year-old Native American
man from St. Paul—died from gunshot wounds sustained during the attack. A fourth victim, a 28-year-old man, succumbed to his injuries days later, though his identity had not yet been publicly disclosed.
Law enforcement officials swiftly launched an investigation into the incident, which was described as one of the most violent events in Minneapolis that year. The Minneapolis Police Department, in collaboration with federal agencies, worked to identify and apprehend suspects involved in the shooting. On May 2, 2025, authorities announced the arrest of 34-year-old James Duane Ortley in connection with the killings. Ortley was taken into custody without incident by an FBI SWAT team and a U.S. Marshals Service task force in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. He was charged with multiple counts of second-degree murder and attempted murder. His initial court appearance was scheduled for May 5, 2025, though prosecutors sought to amend the charges following the death of the fourth victim.
Investigators did not believe Ortley was responsible for a separate fatal shooting that occurred on April 30, 2025, outside the Mino-Bimaadiziwin Apartments on Cedar Avenue South. In that incident, Tiago Antonio Gilbert, a 34-year-old Native American man from Minneapolis, was shot multiple times and died at the scene. Authorities suspected that Gilbert's killing may have been an act of retaliation for the April 29 shootings. The violence sent shockwaves through the Minneapolis Native American community, prompting mourning and calls for justice.
Goodwin, remembered fondly by his family and friends, was described as a bright and compassionate young man. He attended Augsburg Fairview Academy, where he excelled in mathematics and science. His interests included gaming, art, and technology, and he was known for his warm personality and sense of humor. His loved ones referred to him as the 'Gentle Giant,' a testament to his kind nature and towering presence. His tragic death left a deep void in the lives of those who knew him, and his community continues to grieve the loss of a promising young life.
