HENNEPIN COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A devastating mass shooting in Minneapolis has claimed the life of 17-year-old Joey Goodwin, a beloved student at Augsburg Fairview Academy. The incident, which left four dead and one injured, has rocked the local community and highlighted ongoing concerns about gang-related violence.
According to school officials, Goodwin was a “bright, creative, and kind-hearted young man” with deep ties to the school community. He had recently developed an interest in knitting, and his classmates are completing a scarf in his memory to present to his family.
The shooting occurred just before midnight on April 29 in the Phillips neighborhood. Five individuals were inside a vehicle when one, identified as 34-year-old James Duane Ortley, allegedly opened fire from the rear passenger seat, shooting each victim in the head before fleeing on foot.
Three victims, including Goodwin, died at the scene. A fourth succumbed to injuries days later, while a fifth victim, a 20-year-old woman shot in the face, survived and identified Ortley as the shooter.
Ortley, known by aliases “Baby J” and “Little James,” has been charged with four counts of second-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He remains in custody at the Hennepin County Jail with bail set at $2 million.
Investigators have linked Ortley and some family members to the Native Mob, a street gang operating in South Minneapolis and other areas of Minnesota. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Ortley fleeing the scene, and a firearm matching the one used in the shooting was recovered from his residence.
In response to the surge in violence, Minneapolis police, along with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and Metro Transit Police, have deployed additional patrols and specialized units in affected neighborhoods. Mayor Jacob Frey called Ortley’s arrest a “major step forward” in the investigation, emphasizing that such violence “will not be tolerated in our city.”
The NorthStar Fugitive Task Force, led by the U.S. Marshals Service District of Minnesota and comprising multiple law enforcement agencies, was instrumental in Ortley’s apprehension. Authorities believe additional individuals may have been involved in the shooting or possess key information related to it.
The public is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Service with any information about wanted fugitives by calling 1-800-336-0102 or submitting an anonymous tip through the USMS Tipps app or online at usmarshals.gov/tips.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.
Did You Know?
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Joey Goodwin was known for his love of reading, particularly about Indigenous culture, and was described as a “gentle giant” by his peers.
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The Native Mob gang has been the subject of federal investigations, with several members convicted on racketeering charges in recent years.
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Community leaders and tribal nations have issued statements urging cooperation with law enforcement to combat gang-related violence.