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.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
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 and that the shooting was reckless. 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.
Timeline
7 timeline entries on this page. Dates: January 7, 2026 to September 22, 2026
January 2026
6 events
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]Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation
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.
Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation · MPR NewsMPR News, Jan. 7, 2026[02]What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis
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"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]Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation
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.
Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation · MPR NewsMPR News, Jan. 7, 2026[02]What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis
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"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]Minneapolis responds to fatal shooting of woman by federal agent
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]Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation
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.
Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation · MPR NewsMPR News, Jan. 7, 2026Minnesota 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]Minneapolis responds to BCA being removed from federal shooting investigation
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, 2026Good'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]Renee Macklin Good's wife releases statement about ICE shooting
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.
Renee Macklin Good's wife releases statement about ICE shooting · MPR NewsMPR News, Jan. 9, 2026DOJ 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]DOJ says won't investigate ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Good
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.
DOJ says won't investigate ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Good · Al JazeeraAl Jazeera, Jan. 19, 2026
246 days between recorded events
September 2026
1 event
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 protection0:00–4:56: Donna Ganger’s remarks at the September 22 public forum
Response record
Responses
Latest recorded positions: 5. Dates: January 7, 2026 to January 19, 2026
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses on this page
Jacob Frey "This was a federal agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying."
Read the official statement (opens in a new tab)Minneapolis responds to fatal shooting of woman by federal agent · City of MinneapolisCity of Minneapolis news release, Jan. 7, 2026CondemnedCase context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?
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.
Read context and background
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.
Role at the time: Mayor of Minneapolis
Before the statement
The City of Minneapolis issued a same-day statement responding to the fatal shooting of Renée Good by a federal immigration agent.
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, 2026Tim Walz "Today, that recklessness cost someone their life."
Open source (opens in a new tab)Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation · MPR NewsMPR News, Jan. 7, 2026CondemnedCase context: Was ICE Officer Jonathan Ross justified in fatally shooting Renée Good?
Why this label?
Walz explicitly labels the conduct reckless and ties it directly to Good's death, a substantive condemnation rather than only a challenge to how DHS described the video.
This label describes the statement’s response within the context above.
Read context and background
Governor Tim Walz said the agent's recklessness cost Renée Good her life, rejecting DHS's characterization of the shooting as self-defense.
Role at the time: Governor of Minnesota
Before the statement
Gov. Tim Walz responded the same day as the shooting, saying he had seen video of the encounter and did not believe DHS's account of it.
After the statement
Walz said the state would ensure a full and transparent investigation.
Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation · MPR NewsMPR News, Jan. 7, 2026
Sources
(7)
Reporting
Shooting in south Minneapolis during ICE agents' federal operation
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
Original video
Renée Good’s mother tells hearing she voted for Trump expecting protection
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
Reporting
DOJ says won't investigate ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Good
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
Reporting
What we know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis
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
Reporting
Renee Macklin Good's wife releases statement about ICE shooting
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
Official statement
Minneapolis responds to BCA being removed from federal shooting investigation
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
Official statement
Minneapolis responds to fatal shooting of woman by federal agent
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