The federal agent involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis is Jonathan Ross, a highly experienced law enforcement officer with a career spanning nearly two decades.
Ross, a veteran of the Iraq War, has worked extensively in both the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as reported by the Independent.
While Ross's identity had not initially been revealed by federal officials, the shooting incident has raised significant attention, leading to an FBI investigation and public demands for accountability.
A Long Career in Law Enforcement
Jonathan Ross's career in law enforcement began after his service in the Iraq War.
From 2004 to 2005, Ross served as a machine gunner with the Indiana National Guard, providing support as part of a combat patrol team.
After returning from Iraq, Ross pursued a college education and later joined the U.S. Border Patrol in 2007.
Stationed near El Paso, Texas, he worked as a field intelligence agent, gathering and analyzing information related to drug cartels and human trafficking.
In 2015, Ross transitioned to ICE, where he has worked as a deportation officer. His primary role involves targeting "higher value" individuals involved in illegal immigration and fugitive operations in the Minneapolis area.
Ross also played a leadership role within the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, utilizing his expertise in intelligence gathering and tactical operations.
Over the years, Ross has held numerous specialized positions, including firearms instructor, active shooter instructor, and SWAT team member.
His extensive training included attending the Border Patrol Academy in New Mexico, where he also became proficient in Spanish.
The June 2022 Incident That Left Ross Seriously Injured
Ross's career has not been without its dangers.
On June 17, 2022, he was involved in a violent encounter during an attempted arrest in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Federal agents, including Ross, had gathered outside the home of Roberto Munoz-Guatemala, a man who was in the U.S. illegally.
When Munoz-Guatemala attempted to flee the scene, Ross tried to stop him by positioning his vehicle diagonally in front of the suspect's car.
The situation quickly escalated. After approaching Munoz-Guatemala's vehicle and ordering him to park, Ross used a "spring-loaded window punch" to break the car's window and unlock the door.
As Ross tried to arrest him, Munoz-Guatemala drove off, dragging Ross down the street with his arm caught in the vehicle.
Ross deployed his Taser, striking Munoz-Guatemala in an effort to stop him, but the suspect continued to flee, dragging Ross for nearly the length of a football field before he was finally dislodged after hitting a curb.
The injuries Ross sustained during this incident were severe. He required dozens of stitches for cuts and abrasions to his arm, knee, and face.
Despite his injuries, the suspect, Munoz-Guatemala, was later convicted of assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
The Shooting of Renee Good: A Deadly Use of Force
Fast forward to Wednesday, when Ross was involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, in Minneapolis.
Good was shot by federal agents after she allegedly attempted to drive away from a confrontation with them.
While federal officials have not publicly identified Ross as the officer involved, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem referred to a previous incident where Ross had been dragged by a vehicle.
Noem confirmed that Ross was the officer injured in the Bloomington case last summer.
Noem and other officials from the Trump administration have defended Ross, stating that he acted according to his training during the shooting of Good.
They argue that Ross believed Good was trying to run him or other agents over with her vehicle, which prompted him to use deadly force. However, video footage of the incident has raised questions about whether the shooting was justified as an act of self-defense.
The Investigation and Public Outcry
The FBI has launched an investigation into the deadly use of force, which has sparked significant public controversy.
Some protesters are calling for criminal charges to be brought against Ross, while Minnesota authorities have also expressed interest in conducting their own investigation into the incident.
As of now, attempts to reach Ross for comment have been unsuccessful.
Federal Officials Defend Ross’s Actions
Despite the controversy surrounding the shooting, federal officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have spoken in defense of Ross. Vance praised Ross's long service to the country, noting his extensive training and commitment to law enforcement, per the Guardian.
"This is a guy who’s actually done a very, very important job for the United States of America," Vance said. "He’s been assaulted. He’s been attacked. He’s been injured because of it."
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin also spoke in support of Ross, highlighting his selection for ICE’s special response team, a highly demanding unit that requires specialized training in areas such as breaching techniques, perimeter control, hostage rescue, and firearms.
McLaughlin emphasized that Ross’s actions were consistent with the rigorous training he had received throughout his career.