CHASKA, MINNESOTA — Jonathan Ross, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who fatally shot 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis earlier this week, is a military veteran with more than a decade of experience in federal law enforcement. The incident has sparked national debate over the use of deadly force by federal officers.
Ross, a former member of the Indiana National Guard, served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 as a machine gunner in the 138th Signal Battalion. He received multiple honors, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.
Following his military service, Ross joined the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas, in 2007, working as a field intelligence agent targeting drug cartels and human trafficking. In 2015, he became a deportation officer with ICE in Minnesota, specializing in high-value target arrests. He has also served as a firearms instructor, participated in the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and worked on organized crime and national security cases.
The fatal confrontation occurred on a snowy Minneapolis street when Good attempted to drive away during an ICE operation. President Donald Trump and other Trump administration figures defended Ross, claiming Good tried to run him over. However, witness accounts and video footage show that Ross was not directly in the vehicle’s path as it moved. Multiple shots were fired into Good’s SUV, which later collided with a parked car, leading to her death.
Neighbors in Ross’ suburban Chaska neighborhood, located about 30 miles from the scene, expressed shock. Many were unaware of his law enforcement background, though some noticed his military-style attire. Video footage and neighbor accounts have highlighted a tense and chaotic scene, with federal vehicles surrounding Good’s SUV and officers attempting to remove her from the car before the shooting occurred.
This is not the first time Ross faced a life-threatening situation on duty. In June, while attempting to arrest an immigrant who refused to exit a vehicle, Ross was dragged by the car for at least 50 yards, sustaining severe injuries that required 33 stitches. Court testimony from that case revealed the officer feared for his life and used a Taser during the confrontation.
Ross has not made a public statement about the Minneapolis shooting, and the FBI is currently investigating the incident. DHS has confirmed his identity but has declined to publicly release details, citing security and privacy concerns.
The incident has reignited discussions about ICE tactics, the use of deadly force, and accountability for federal law enforcement officers operating in residential communities. Neighbors described mixed feelings of fear, shock, and disbelief, noting the stark contrast between Ross’ suburban life and the high-risk federal operations he conducts.
