The Jan. 7 death of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of an ICE agent in Minneapolis was a tragedy that put the country on edge. So it was no surprise that a nonfatal shooting during an arrest in the city exactly one week later sparked violent protests. A convicted felon allegedly used that chaos as cover to steal an assault weapon from an abandoned FBI vehicle.
The original shooting occurred Jan. 14, after ICE agents conducted a “targeted traffic stop” to arrest a Venezuelan national. Authorities say the suspect began to “violently assault” the officers. Two passersby then joined in, using a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the agents. One agent shot the suspect in the leg and transported him to a nearby hospital.
After the gunfire, the neighborhood descended into chaos. During the unrest, FBI agents retreated and left behind at least one bureau vehicle.
A stolen rifle and a recognizable suspect
The FBI says suspects broke open the standard police car gun vault in the trunk and stole a laptop, a Glock handgun, pistol ammunition, body armor, and a handheld radio. One suspect also took a rifle bag. The bag contained a Colt M16 rifle and a suppressor.
The suspect had a distinctive face tattoo, prompting the FBI to circulate surveillance video showing him removing the rifle bag. Investigators later identified him as Raul Gutierrez, 33, of Minneapolis.
Gutierrez has prior felony convictions, including domestic assault by strangulation, burglary, and reckless discharge of a firearm. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms. Civilians also cannot legally purchase newly manufactured M16 rifles.
Gutierrez admitted to stealing the rifle bag but claimed two unknown men immediately took it from him. Federal prosecutors wrote that during questioning, Gutierrez “attempted to walk back his knowledge of the gun by saying he did not know what is in the case.” He now faces federal charges.
Authorities have not said who breached the gun vault or how it was opened. The FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to additional arrests.
