The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who fatally shot a mother of three during protests in Minnesota is an Iraq war veteran with a career deeply rooted in immigration enforcement, a detailed profile has revealed.
From the Battlefield to the Border
Federal agent Jonathan Ross fired three shots at Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. Good was sitting in her maroon Honda Pilot after she and neighbours came out to protest the presence of immigration officers on their street. The Trump administration has defended Ross, claiming he acted in self-defence after being run over, an account disputed by protesters and Good's family.
Ross, who has not spoken publicly since the incident, began his service career in the National Guard after high school. He was deployed to Iraq in November 2004 for a year, serving as a gunner. Upon returning, he joined the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas in 2007, working as a field intelligence agent focused on drug cartels and border surveillance.
A Career Dedicated to Enforcement
After nearly a decade with Border Patrol, Ross moved to Minnesota in 2015 after taking a job with ICE. There, he was primarily tasked with identifying and arresting "higher value targets." A colleague described him to The New York Times as "a thorough agent who would go down rabbit holes in search of undocumented migrants."
His commitment has come with physical risk. In June 2025, Ross was dragged roughly 300 feet by a fleeing suspect during an arrest in Bloomington, Minnesota, requiring over 30 stitches. The suspect was later convicted of assaulting an officer.
Political Climate and Growing Unrest
The shooting has ignited significant protests and clashes with law enforcement in Minneapolis, fuelling calls for ICE to slow its aggressive deportation push in the state. This enforcement surge has been a centrepiece of President Donald Trump's agenda.
While Ross's political views are not formally documented, neighbours recalled seeing a "pro-Trump" sign and a "Don't Tread on Me" flag outside his home in Chaska during the presidential election. Colleagues noted he largely avoided politics at work.
The Department of Homeland Security has publicly backed Ross's actions. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated he is "a longtime ICE officer who has been serving his country his entire life" and acted according to his training.
As the community grapples with the tragedy, reports suggest Ross is increasingly unlikely to face criminal charges. The family of Renee Good has hired the same law firm that represented the family of George Floyd, signalling a prolonged fight for justice ahead.
