On January 7, 2026, a routine federal enforcement operation in South Minneapolis turned deadly when Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother and poet, was shot and killed inside her vehicle by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross.
The incident has triggered a firestorm of protests across the Twin Cities and ignited a fierce jurisdictional battle between the White House and Minnesota state officials.
The Star Tribune first confirmed Jonathan Ross’s identity, noting that while state law typically releases officer names quickly, federal agents are not subject to the same immediate disclosure mandates.
The Agent: Who is Jonathan Ross?
While initially unidentified, the agent was named in court documents and later confirmed by multiple sources as Jonathan Ross, a 43-year-old deportation officer and member of the elite Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Special Response Team (SRT).
The “June 2025” Dragging Incident
Central to Jonathan Ross’s defense is a near-fatal incident that occurred just six months prior.
- What Happened: In June 2025, during an attempted arrest in Bloomington, MN, Jonathan Ross reached into a vehicle to apprehend a suspect, Roberto Carlos Muñoz-Guatemala. The driver sped off, dragging Jonathan Ross for approximately 100 yards.
- The Injuries: Jonathan Ross suffered severe road rash and deep lacerations to his arm and hand, requiring over 30 stitches.
- The Connection: Administration officials now argue this trauma heightened Jonathan Ross’s sensitivity to vehicular threats, directly influencing his decision to fire when Good’s vehicle moved during the January 7 encounter. CBS News detailed the connection between the two incidents, citing court records regarding Jonathan Ross.
The Administration’s Defense of Jonathan Ross
The White House and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have aggressively defended Jonathan Ross, characterizing the shooting as an act of self-defense against a “domestic terrorist” act.
- Vice President J.D. Vance: In a tense press briefing on January 8, Vance explicitly linked the shooting to Jonathan Ross’s previous injury: “That very ICE officer nearly had his life ended, dragged by a car six months ago… So you think maybe he’s a little bit sensitive about somebody ramming him with an automobile?” (Transcript via News From The States)
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: Noem labeled the victim’s actions—allegedly reversing and then driving forward near agents including Jonathan Ross—as “an act of domestic terrorism,” a claim that has been hotly contested by local eyewitnesses and video evidence.
The Victim: Renee Nicole Good
Renee Nicole Good (37) was a U.S. citizen, a writer, and a mother of three. Family members and city leaders describe her as a “legal observer” who was not the target of any ICE warrant executed by Jonathan Ross or his team.
- Background: A graduate of Old Dominion University, she had recently moved to Minneapolis from Kansas City. She was a poet and writer, having won an undergraduate poetry prize in 2020. Her family describes her as a devoted Christian and mother who had “never been charged with anything involving law enforcement beyond a traffic ticket” (PBS News).
- The Scene: Witnesses report that Good had just dropped her child off at school. Video footage appears to show agents surrounding her Honda Pilot. As the vehicle moved, shots were fired through the window.
The Investigation
A major political rift has opened regarding the investigation into Jonathan Ross.
- FBI Takeover: In an unusual move, the FBI has asserted sole jurisdiction over the case involving Jonathan Ross, effectively locking out the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
- State Pushback: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have publicly condemned this exclusion. Mayor Frey referred to the federal narrative of self-defense as “bullshit” after reviewing bystander video, while Governor Walz expressed concern that the state would not see a “fair outcome” regarding Jonathan Ross without independent state-level oversight (MPR News).
Timeline of Events
- June 19, 2025: Jonathan Ross is dragged by a vehicle in Bloomington, MN; suspect later convicted.
- Jan 7, 2026 (9:30 AM): Jonathan Ross shoots Renee Good in South Minneapolis during an enforcement sweep.
- Jan 8, 2026: VP Vance defends Jonathan Ross; FBI takes exclusive control of the investigation; protests erupt at Fort Snelling.
- Jan 9, 2026: Minneapolis crews begin dismantling barriers around the shooting site; state leaders demand BCA access to evidence involving Jonathan Ross.
References
- Star Tribune: ICE agent who fatally shot woman in Minneapolis is identified
- CBS News: ICE officer who shot woman in Minneapolis was dragged by car in June incident
- PBS News: Woman killed by ICE agent was mother of 3, poet and new to Minneapolis
- MPR News: Rifts widen as Minnesota, feds face off over ICE shooting
