Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

ICE officer Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renée Good, a U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis. DHS says she used her car as a weapon; Minneapolis and Minnesota officials say video shows no threat and call the self-defense account false.

A red heart-shaped sign at a Minneapolis vigil reads No More MN (N)ice.
A vigil for Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, the day ICE officer Jonathan Ross fatally shot her.

Case period:

Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated

Renée GoodJonathan RossU.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementU.S. Department of Homeland Security

Overview

This case classifies responses to whether ICE officer Jonathan Ross was justified in fatally shooting Renée Good on January 7, 2026, during a federal immigration operation in south Minneapolis. Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was in her SUV when agents approached; DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Ross fired in self-defense after Good used the vehicle as a weapon against agents. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rejected that account, saying video of the encounter showed Good posed no threat. Frey called the shooting a reckless use of federal power, and Walz blamed her death on the recklessness of the heightened ICE operations in the Twin Cities. The FBI removed the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from the joint investigation the day after the shooting, and the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division declined to open its own investigation, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche saying the department was not investigating because circulating video already showed the officer being attacked by the vehicle. Good's death predates and is a separate incident from the later fatal shooting of Alex Pretti during the same Minneapolis operation. As of September 2026, no public charges had been filed against Ross.

Background: When can federal immigration agents use deadly force?

People in this case

Timeline

8 timeline entries on this page. Dates: January 7, 2026 to October 1, 2026

  1. January 2026

    1. ICE officer fatally shoots Renée Good in south Minneapolis

      Incident

      During a federal immigration operation in south Minneapolis, ICE officer Jonathan Ross fired three shots at Renée Good's SUV as it turned away from him near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue. Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, drove several blocks before crashing and was pronounced dead at a hospital.

      [01]MPR News

      Source excerpt

      DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the agent's actions were "justified" and that he "followed his training," describing the crowd as "a mob of agitators." Mayor Jacob Frey called the self-defense account "garbage" and "bullshit." Gov. Tim Walz said he had "seen the video" and called ICE's account "propaganda," calling the shooting "predictable and avoidable." Witness Betsy said the woman "posed absolutely no threat to any of these agents."

      Breaking-news account of the Jan. 7, 2026 shooting including eyewitness testimony and same-day statements from ICE, DHS Secretary Noem, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

      [02]CBS News

      Source excerpt

      DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the woman "weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers." President Trump said on Truth Social that she "viciously ran over the ICE Officer." The shooter was identified as Jonathan Ross, a member of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations Special Response Team who had worked with ICE in Minnesota since at least 2017.

      CBS News Minnesota explainer identifying the ICE officer who fired the shots and summarizing the competing federal and local accounts.

      What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis · CBS NewsCBS News Minnesota, "What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis"
    2. DHS says the agent acted in self-defense

      Reaction

      DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Ross's actions were justified and that Good had used her vehicle as a weapon against agents. A DHS spokesperson separately said Good had weaponized her vehicle in an attempt to run over law enforcement officers.

      [01]MPR News

      Source excerpt

      DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the agent's actions were "justified" and that he "followed his training," describing the crowd as "a mob of agitators." Mayor Jacob Frey called the self-defense account "garbage" and "bullshit." Gov. Tim Walz said he had "seen the video" and called ICE's account "propaganda," calling the shooting "predictable and avoidable." Witness Betsy said the woman "posed absolutely no threat to any of these agents."

      Breaking-news account of the Jan. 7, 2026 shooting including eyewitness testimony and same-day statements from ICE, DHS Secretary Noem, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

      [02]CBS News

      Source excerpt

      DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the woman "weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers." President Trump said on Truth Social that she "viciously ran over the ICE Officer." The shooter was identified as Jonathan Ross, a member of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations Special Response Team who had worked with ICE in Minnesota since at least 2017.

      CBS News Minnesota explainer identifying the ICE officer who fired the shots and summarizing the competing federal and local accounts.

      What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis · CBS NewsCBS News Minnesota, "What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis"
    3. Minneapolis disputes the self-defense account

      Reaction

      Mayor Jacob Frey and the City of Minneapolis disputed DHS's account of the shooting, calling it a case of a federal agent recklessly using deadly force. The city expressed condolences to Good's family.

      [03]City of Minneapolis

      Source excerpt

      "We've dreaded this moment since the early stages of this ICE presence" ... "This was a federal agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying." ... "To the family of the person who was killed — we are deeply sorry."

      Official City of Minneapolis statement issued the day of the shooting, quoting Mayor Jacob Frey's response to the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue by a federal immigration agent.

      Minneapolis responds to fatal shooting of woman by federal agent · City of MinneapolisCity of Minneapolis news release, Jan. 7, 2026
      [01]MPR News

      Source excerpt

      DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the agent's actions were "justified" and that he "followed his training," describing the crowd as "a mob of agitators." Mayor Jacob Frey called the self-defense account "garbage" and "bullshit." Gov. Tim Walz said he had "seen the video" and called ICE's account "propaganda," calling the shooting "predictable and avoidable." Witness Betsy said the woman "posed absolutely no threat to any of these agents."

      Breaking-news account of the Jan. 7, 2026 shooting including eyewitness testimony and same-day statements from ICE, DHS Secretary Noem, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

    4. Minnesota BCA removed from the federal shooting investigation

      The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was removed from the joint investigation into the shooting, leaving federal authorities to investigate their own agent's use of force. Minneapolis officials called for a transparent process that included state investigators.

      [04]City of Minneapolis

      Source excerpt

      "We are concerned that the investigation is proceeding without state partners, and we are calling for a clear and transparent process that includes state investigating agencies." — Commissioner Todd Barnette, Minneapolis Office of Community Safety

      Official city statement after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was removed from the federal investigation into the shooting, one day after Renée Good's death.

      Minneapolis responds to BCA being removed from federal shooting investigation · City of MinneapolisCity of Minneapolis news release, Jan. 8, 2026
    5. Good's wife releases a statement about the shooting

      Reaction

      Becca Good, Renée Good's wife, released a statement describing her wife as kind and "made of sunshine," said Good left behind three children including a six-year-old, and described the moment of the encounter with agents: "We had whistles. They had guns."

      [05]MPR News

      Source excerpt

      Becca Good, Renée's wife, said kindness "radiated" out of her and that she was "made of sunshine." She said Renée leaves "three extraordinary children; the youngest is just six years old and already lost his father." Of the encounter with agents: "We had whistles. They had guns."

      Statement released two days after the shooting by Renée Good's wife, Becca Good, describing their family and the moment of the shooting.

    6. DOJ declines to open its own investigation into the shooting

      Claim

      Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department would not open a criminal investigation into Ross, saying officials do not investigate every time an officer is forced to defend himself and that it was "not now" a time for investigation.

      [06]Al Jazeera

      Source excerpt

      Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, "We don't just go out and investigate every time an officer is forced to defend himself," adding it was "not now" a time for investigation, and noted the footage had already been "reviewed by millions and millions of Americans because it was recorded on phones."

      Reports the Justice Department's Jan. 19, 2026 decision not to open a federal criminal investigation into the shooting, quoting Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

  2. September 2026

    1. Renée Good’s mother calls for accountability at a public forum

      Reaction

      At a September 22 public forum, Donna Ganger, Renée Good’s mother, said she had voted for President Trump believing federal immigration officers would protect Americans. She said people determined to disregard constitutional rules and values could not be prevented from doing so and called for accountability and change. Her remarks are an attributed family reaction and do not independently resolve the disputed facts of the shooting.

      [07]Renée Good's mother tells hearing she voted for Trump expecting protection

      Source excerpt

      “But no one can protect against others who are determined to disregard our country’s constitutional rules and values.”

      USA TODAY video of Donna Ganger speaking at a September 22 public forum hosted by Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Robert Garcia. The video records her personal reaction and call for accountability; it does not independently resolve the disputed facts of the shooting.

      Renée Good's mother tells hearing she voted for Trump expecting protection0:00 to 4:56: Donna Ganger's remarks at the September 22 public forum
  3. October 2026

    1. Good family files civil lawsuits against the United States and federal officials

      Romanucci & Blandin announced that the Good family filed two complaints in federal court in Minnesota on October 1. One names the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The other names Jonathan Ross and senior federal officials, alleging a civil-rights conspiracy and excessive force. Brent Ganger, as trustee for Good's next of kin, and Becca Good are the plaintiffs. The complaints seek damages over her January 7 death.

      [08]Good family lawyers announce two civil lawsuits over her death

      The family's law firm announces two complaints in federal court in Minnesota, naming Brent Ganger as trustee and Becca Good as plaintiffs. The release describes the plaintiffs' allegations and requested remedies.

      Good family lawyers announce two civil lawsuits over her deathParagraph beginning 'Two civil lawsuits were filed on October 1, 2026' and 'Complaint Details', items 1 and 2

Response record

Responses

Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.

10 responses. First 6 shown initially. Newest first.

  1. Emma VigelandCo-host of The Majority Report, on her X account

    Before this statement

    Vigeland posted this on X on July 16, 2026.

    "There is endless footage of Pretti and Good’s killings and there’s been no justice. Body cameras are mass surveillance tools for Palantir facial scanning software, and ICE turns them off when convenient. There’s no shortcut — there must be abolition."
    Condemned

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    Emma Vigeland says there is endless footage of the killings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good and no justice for them, and calls for abolishing ICE rather than relying on body cameras.

    After the statement

    The post then links The Intercept's July 16, 2026 report on ICE body cameras.

    Why this label?

    Relative to the fatal shooting of Renée Good, Vigeland calls it a killing for which there has been no justice. That condemns the shooting.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

  2. Steven YoungGreen Party candidate for governor of Minnesota, posting on X

    Before this statement

    Young quoted a post sharing a report, based on Minneapolis police records, that police held the perimeter for ICE after federal agents shot Good. Alpha News later reported that Young was in the crowd that confronted ICE agents on the day Good was killed.

    "I was there on that horrific day and saw MPD take over the perimeter for ICE. They held the line so that murderers could leave and escape justice. Our local cops were -and continue to be- accessories after the fact to her murder and ICE's other crimes."
    Condemned

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    Young, who was at the scene the day Good was killed, wrote that Minneapolis police took over the perimeter for ICE and let the agents he called murderers leave. He called the police accessories after the fact to her murder.

    After the statement

    He was then running for governor as the Green Party's candidate on a platform of abolishing ICE.

    Why this label?

    Relative to whether Ross was justified in shooting Good, Young calls the killing a murder and the agents murderers who escaped justice. That condemns the shooting.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

  3. Todd BlancheDeputy Attorney General of the United States

    Before this statement

    Blanche made the remarks in a Fox News interview after the Justice Department decided not to open a civil rights investigation into the shooting.

    "We don't just go out and investigate every time an officer is forced to defend himself against somebody. We investigate when it's appropriate to investigate."
    Defended or excused

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department would not investigate the shooting, framing Ross as an officer who had been forced to defend himself and saying investigation was not appropriate at this time.

    After the statement

    Blanche said video of the shooting had already been reviewed by millions of Americans because it was recorded on phones.

    Why this label?

    Blanche adopts and repeats the framing that Ross acted in self-defense as the basis for declining to investigate, endorsing the justification DHS has offered rather than merely disputing terminology.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

  4. Becca GoodWife of Renée Good

    Before this statement

    Two days after the shooting, Becca Good released a statement describing her wife and the moment agents confronted them.

    "We had whistles. They had guns."
    Challenged the characterization

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    Becca Good, Renée Good's wife, described the encounter with agents by contrasting the whistles the couple carried with the guns agents had, disputing any suggestion Good and her family posed a threat.

    After the statement

    She said Good leaves behind three children, the youngest six years old.

    Why this label?

    Becca Good disputes the threat implied by DHS's account by emphasizing the mismatch between what the couple was carrying and the agents' weapons, without independently arguing the shooting was reckless or unlawful.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

  5. JD VanceVice President of the United States

    Before this statement

    Vance was asked whether he was prejudging an investigation into the shooting after reviewing publicly available video.

    "The reason this woman is dead is because she tried to ram somebody with her car and that guy acted in self-defense."
    Defended or excused

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    Vice President JD Vance said Good tried to ram the officer with her car and that Ross acted in self-defense.

    After the statement

    He said the idea that the shooting was not justified was absurd and rejected descriptions of Good as an innocent victim of murder.

    Transcript of January 8 White House press briefing with JD VanceQuestion-and-answer exchange on Renee Good, paragraphs beginning “Well, being part of the network” through “Next question”

    Why this label?

    Vance directly endorses the self-defense justification for Ross's fatal shooting of Good, so the position defends the conduct at issue in the case.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

  6. Bennie ThompsonRanking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, in a letter he led for the committee's Democrats

    Before this statement

    An ICE officer shot and killed Good in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had said the shooting was the result of "domestic terrorism" and that the officer was in fear for his life.

    "Contrary to Secretary Noem’s press statements, there has been no evidence shared that would justify Ms. Good’s killing. The perpetrator must be held accountable, and Secretary Noem must answer for this shooting as well as other recent acts of violence by her officers and agents."
    Condemned

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    Thompson led House Homeland Security Committee Democrats in a letter to Chairman Andrew Garbarino saying that no evidence shared would justify Good's killing, that the person who shot her must be held accountable, and that Secretary Noem must answer for the shooting.

    After the statement

    MinnPost reported on January 9, 2026 that Chairman Garbarino responded that the FBI was actively investigating and that the committee would review the results of that investigation, and that he did not agree to a hearing with Noem.

    Ranking Member Thompson, Committee Dems Demand Hearing with Kristi Noem on ICE Killing U.S. Citizen in MinneapolisCommittee Democrats' post dated January 8, 2026; letter text, second paragraph
    D.C. Memo: ICE shooting roils D.C. – and prompts Craig-Emmer spatSection on House Homeland Security Committee Democrats' demand for a Noem hearing

    Why this label?

    The case asks whether ICE officer Jonathan Ross was justified in fatally shooting Renée Good. The letter Thompson led says no evidence shared would justify the killing, contrary to Secretary Noem's press statements, and that the person who fired must be held accountable. That rejects the justification for the shooting itself and calls for accountability, so we used the Condemned label rather than Challenged the characterization.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

View all 10 responsesShow fewer responses
  1. American Civil Liberties UnionNational civil liberties organization, in a joint release with its Minnesota affiliate

    Before this statement

    The release said the shooting came a day after the Department of Homeland Security announced a large operation in Minnesota that sent more than 2,000 federal immigration officers into the state.

    "The ACLU and ACLU of Minnesota strongly condemn this killing, and urge federal agents to withdraw from Minnesota as soon as possible and to halt these massive escalations across the country immediately."
    Condemned

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    The ACLU and ACLU of Minnesota said in a joint press release on the day of the shooting that they strongly condemn the killing of Renée Good, and urged federal agents to withdraw from Minnesota.

    After the statement

    The release also quoted Deepinder Mayell of ACLU of Minnesota and Naureen Shah of the ACLU, and noted the December 2025 lawsuit Tincher v. Noem over ICE conduct toward people who observe and protest immigration enforcement.

    ACLU and ACLU of Minnesota Demand Immediate Action After ICE Shoots and Kills Minnesota Woman · American Civil Liberties UnionOpening paragraph of the press release, after the Minneapolis dateline

    Why this label?

    The case asks whether Jonathan Ross was justified in fatally shooting Renée Good. The ACLU says it strongly condemns the killing and calls for federal agents to leave Minnesota, which rejects the shooting as justified, so we used Condemned.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

  2. Tricia McLaughlinU.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson

    Before this statement

    CBS News Minnesota summarized competing accounts of the shooting shortly after it occurred, including statements from ICE, DHS, and President Trump.

    "weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers"
    Defended or excused

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said Renée Good weaponized her vehicle and attempted to run over law enforcement officers, defending the agent's decision to fire as justified self-defense.

    After the statement

    President Trump separately said on Truth Social that Good had viciously run over the ICE officer.

    What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis · CBS NewsCBS News Minnesota, "What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis"

    Why this label?

    McLaughlin argues Good posed an active threat to agents, directly asserting the factual basis DHS uses to call the shooting justified self-defense rather than merely disputing how it has been described.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

  3. Jacob FreyMayor of Minneapolis

    Before this statement

    The City of Minneapolis issued a same-day statement responding to the fatal shooting of Renée Good by a federal immigration agent.

    "This was a federal agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying."
    Condemned

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the shooting of Renée Good was the result of a federal agent recklessly using power, rejecting DHS's self-defense account.

    After the statement

    The city said it was deeply sorry to the family of the person who was killed.

    Minneapolis responds to fatal shooting of woman by federal agent · City of MinneapolisCity of Minneapolis news release, Jan. 7, 2026

    Why this label?

    Frey directly characterizes the agent's use of deadly force as reckless rather than justified, a substantive condemnation of the conduct at issue, not merely a dispute over labeling.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

  4. Tim WalzGovernor of Minnesota

    Before this statement

    Earlier on the day of the shooting, Walz wrote on social media that he had seen the video and urged people not to believe what he called a "propaganda machine." At a news conference that afternoon, he told reporters that he and others had been warning that the heightened ICE operations in the Twin Cities were a danger to public safety.

    "Today, that recklessness cost someone their life."
    Condemned

    Case context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?

    Full statement and sources

    Governor Tim Walz said he and others had been warning that the heightened ICE operations in the Twin Cities were a danger to public safety, and that the recklessness of those operations cost Renée Good her life. Earlier that day, he disputed ICE's account that the agent fired in self-defense.

    After the statement

    Walz added that it was "predictable and avoidable" and urged people to protest peacefully and not force a confrontation.

    Why this label?

    Walz attributes Good's death to the recklessness of the heightened ICE operations and, the same day, disputed ICE's claim that the agent fired in self-defense. Holding the operations responsible for the killing while rejecting the self-defense account is a condemnation of the shooting rather than only a challenge to how ICE described it.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

Sources

(15)

Reporting

Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation

Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: MPR News, Jan. 7, 2026

Excerpt

"DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the agent's actions were "justified" and that he "followed his training," describing the crowd as "a mob of agitators." Mayor Jacob Frey called the self-defense account "garbage" and "bullshit." Gov. Tim Walz said he had "seen the video" and called ICE's account "propaganda," calling the shooting "predictable and avoidable." Witness Betsy said the woman "posed absolutely no threat to any of these agents.""

About this source

Breaking-news account of the Jan. 7, 2026 shooting including eyewitness testimony and same-day statements from ICE, DHS Secretary Noem, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Green Party governor candidate wants to abolish ICE, slams Klobuchar over Gaza

About this source

Alpha News profile of Steven Young's campaign. It reports, citing his August interview with The North Star Independent, that he left his corporate law job when Operation Metro Surge began and was in the crowd that confronted ICE agents on the day Renee Good was killed.

Author
Luke Sprinkel, Alpha News
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original post

Steven Young on X: he saw police hold the perimeter for ICE the day Renee Good was killed

About this source

Post by Steven Young, then the Green Party's candidate for Minnesota governor, quoting a post that shared a report on Minneapolis police records from the federal shootings of Renee Good, Julio Sosa-Celis and Alex Pretti.

Author
Steven Young (@steveformn)
Published
Accessed

Original post

Emma Vigeland's X post on the killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti

About this source

Emma Vigeland posted this on X on July 16, 2026, linking a report by The Intercept on ICE body cameras.

Author
Emma Vigeland
Published
Accessed

Original text

Good family lawyers announce two civil lawsuits over her death

Good family lawyers announce two civil lawsuits over her death (opens in a new tab)Paragraph beginning 'Two civil lawsuits were filed on October 1, 2026' and 'Complaint Details', items 1 and 2
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Paragraph beginning 'Two civil lawsuits were filed on October 1, 2026' and 'Complaint Details', items 1 and 2

About this source

The family's law firm announces two complaints in federal court in Minnesota, naming Brent Ganger as trustee and Becca Good as plaintiffs. The release describes the plaintiffs' allegations and requested remedies.

Author
Romanucci & Blandin
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

ACLU and ACLU of Minnesota Demand Immediate Action After ICE Shoots and Kills Minnesota Woman

ACLU and ACLU of Minnesota Demand Immediate Action After ICE Shoots and Kills Minnesota Woman (opens in a new tab) · American Civil Liberties UnionOpening paragraph of the press release, after the Minneapolis dateline
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Opening paragraph of the press release, after the Minneapolis dateline

Excerpt

"The ACLU and ACLU of Minnesota strongly condemn this killing, and urge federal agents to withdraw from Minnesota as soon as possible and to halt these massive escalations across the country immediately."

About this source

Joint press release from the ACLU and ACLU of Minnesota, published January 7, 2026, the day of the shooting.

Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

D.C. Memo: ICE shooting roils D.C. – and prompts Craig-Emmer spat

D.C. Memo: ICE shooting roils D.C. – and prompts Craig-Emmer spat (opens in a new tab)Section on House Homeland Security Committee Democrats' demand for a Noem hearing
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Section on House Homeland Security Committee Democrats' demand for a Noem hearing

Excerpt

"Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the committee, sent the chairman of the panel, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., a letter on Thursday demanding a hearing."

About this source

MinnPost's Washington newsletter reporting on congressional reactions to the Good shooting, including Noem's account of the shooting and Chairman Garbarino's response to the hearing request.

Author
Ana Radelat
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

Ranking Member Thompson, Committee Dems Demand Hearing with Kristi Noem on ICE Killing U.S. Citizen in Minneapolis

Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Committee Democrats' post dated January 8, 2026; letter text, second paragraph

Excerpt

"Contrary to Secretary Noem’s press statements, there has been no evidence shared that would justify Ms. Good’s killing. The perpetrator must be held accountable,"

About this source

Post by the House Homeland Security Committee Democrats reproducing the January 8, 2026 letter from Ranking Member Bennie Thompson and other committee Democrats to Chairman Andrew Garbarino, which asks for a hearing with Secretary Kristi Noem.

Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Archived source

Transcript of January 8 White House press briefing with JD Vance

Transcript of January 8 White House press briefing with JD Vance (opens in a new tab)Question-and-answer exchange on Renee Good, paragraphs beginning “Well, being part of the network” through “Next question”
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Question-and-answer exchange on Renee Good, paragraphs beginning “Well, being part of the network” through “Next question”

Excerpt

"The reason this woman is dead is because she tried to ram somebody with her car and that guy acted in self-defense."

About this source

The transcript records Vance's extended defense of the ICE officer and his response to questions about prejudging the investigation.

Author
The American Presidency Project
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original video

Renée Good's mother tells hearing she voted for Trump expecting protection

Renée Good's mother tells hearing she voted for Trump expecting protection (opens in a new tab)0:00 to 4:56: Donna Ganger's remarks at the September 22 public forum

Donna Ganger, the mother of Renee Good, speaks at a forum held by congressional Democrats on deaths involving federal immigration agents, Sept. 22, 2026.

Three excerpts joined by a one-second black gap: 41:46 to 42:01, 44:50 to 45:35, and 45:56 to 46:10 of the Oversight Committee Democrats video. Cut from the House Oversight Committee Democrats' own recording of the forum. The USA TODAY YouTube clip cited for this source shows the same remarks. DI added its logo in the corner.

Video: House Oversight Committee Democrats. Public domain (U.S. government work) (opens in a new tab)

Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: 0:00 to 4:56: Donna Ganger's remarks at the September 22 public forum)

Excerpt

"“But no one can protect against others who are determined to disregard our country’s constitutional rules and values.”"

About this source

USA TODAY video of Donna Ganger speaking at a September 22 public forum hosted by Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Robert Garcia. The video records her personal reaction and call for accountability; it does not independently resolve the disputed facts of the shooting.

Author
USA TODAY
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

DOJ says won't investigate ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Good

Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Al Jazeera, Jan. 19, 2026

Excerpt

"Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, "We don't just go out and investigate every time an officer is forced to defend himself," adding it was "not now" a time for investigation, and noted the footage had already been "reviewed by millions and millions of Americans because it was recorded on phones.""

About this source

Reports the Justice Department's Jan. 19, 2026 decision not to open a federal criminal investigation into the shooting, quoting Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis

What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis (opens in a new tab) · CBS NewsCBS News Minnesota, "What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis"
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: CBS News Minnesota, "What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis"

Excerpt

"DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the woman "weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers." President Trump said on Truth Social that she "viciously ran over the ICE Officer." The shooter was identified as Jonathan Ross, a member of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations Special Response Team who had worked with ICE in Minnesota since at least 2017."

About this source

CBS News Minnesota explainer identifying the ICE officer who fired the shots and summarizing the competing federal and local accounts.

Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Renee Macklin Good's wife releases statement about ICE shooting

Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: MPR News, Jan. 9, 2026

Excerpt

"Becca Good, Renée's wife, said kindness "radiated" out of her and that she was "made of sunshine." She said Renée leaves "three extraordinary children; the youngest is just six years old and already lost his father." Of the encounter with agents: "We had whistles. They had guns.""

About this source

Statement released two days after the shooting by Renée Good's wife, Becca Good, describing their family and the moment of the shooting.

Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

Minneapolis responds to BCA being removed from federal shooting investigation

Minneapolis responds to BCA being removed from federal shooting investigation (opens in a new tab) · City of MinneapolisCity of Minneapolis news release, Jan. 8, 2026
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: City of Minneapolis news release, Jan. 8, 2026

Excerpt

""We are concerned that the investigation is proceeding without state partners, and we are calling for a clear and transparent process that includes state investigating agencies." — Commissioner Todd Barnette, Minneapolis Office of Community Safety"

About this source

Official city statement after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was removed from the federal investigation into the shooting, one day after Renée Good's death.

Author
City of Minneapolis
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

Minneapolis responds to fatal shooting of woman by federal agent

Minneapolis responds to fatal shooting of woman by federal agent (opens in a new tab) · City of MinneapolisCity of Minneapolis news release, Jan. 7, 2026
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: City of Minneapolis news release, Jan. 7, 2026

Excerpt

""We've dreaded this moment since the early stages of this ICE presence" ... "This was a federal agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying." ... "To the family of the person who was killed — we are deeply sorry.""

About this source

Official City of Minneapolis statement issued the day of the shooting, quoting Mayor Jacob Frey's response to the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue by a federal immigration agent.

Author
City of Minneapolis
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Corrections

(1)

Corrections address errors in our reporting or labels. When a speaker changes their position, we add a separate statement and link it to the earlier one.

Reporting correction

Correction to: Statement by Tim Walz

Previous language
Governor Tim Walz said the agent's recklessness cost Renée Good her life, rejecting DHS's characterization of the shooting as self-defense.
Corrected language
Governor Tim Walz said he and others had been warning that the heightened ICE operations in the Twin Cities were a danger to public safety, and that the recklessness of those operations cost Renée Good her life. Earlier that day, he disputed ICE's account that the agent fired in self-defense.

An earlier version of this entry said Walz blamed Renée Good's death on the agent's recklessness. In the cited remarks, Walz was describing the recklessness of the heightened ICE operations in the Twin Cities, not the individual agent. We corrected the summary, title, context and label explanation, and clarified the matching line in the case overview.

This corrects our account of what happened.

Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation (opens in a new tab) · MPR NewsMPR News, Jan. 7, 2026

Breaking-news account of the Jan. 7, 2026 shooting including eyewitness testimony and same-day statements from ICE, DHS Secretary Noem, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Case updates

Renée Good's family has sued. Want the next update?

Get an email if the courts rule in the Good family's lawsuits or if any agency releases new findings on the shooting.

Updated in the last few days.

Important updates only. Free. Confirm your email to start. Unsubscribe anytime. How we handle your email.

The newsletter

Follow disputes like this one.

New cases and significant updates to the record, in your inbox. Free.

You’ll confirm your subscription on Substack.

Share or embed this case

The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the case page.

Cite this record

Publisher
The Dispute Index
Title
Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?
First published
Last updated
Permalink
https://disputeindex.com/cases/was-ice-officer-jonathan-ross-justified-in-fatally-shooting-rene-e-good

The Dispute Index. "Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?". First published: 2026-09-24. Last updated: 2026-10-06. https://disputeindex.com/cases/was-ice-officer-jonathan-ross-justified-in-fatally-shooting-rene-e-good