In a heartbreaking turn that has plunged the nation deeper into grief and division, officials at Hennepin County Medical Center have confirmed the death of ICE agent Jonathan Ross, the 43-year-old veteran officer at the center of the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good. Ross succumbed to complications from severe internal injuries sustained during the chaotic confrontation in south Minneapolis, marking a tragic double loss in an incident already tearing at the fabric of American society.
The announcement came just after 9:00 p.m. local time, following a week of intensive care where Ross fought for his life amid widespread public donations exceeding $500,000 raised through a GoFundMe campaign organized by federal law enforcement unions and supporters. Despite round-the-clock medical intervention—including emergency surgery to address massive internal bleeding in his torso, multiple organ support, and experimental treatments—doctors were unable to reverse the damage. A hospital spokesperson issued a brief statement: “We are devastated to confirm that Agent Jonathan Ross passed away peacefully surrounded by family. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and colleagues during this unimaginable time.”
Ross’s death transforms the narrative surrounding the shooting from a single fatality to a dual tragedy, intensifying debates over accountability, use of force, immigration enforcement, and the human cost of polarized politics.
The Incident: A Routine Enforcement Action Turns Deadly
On the morning of January 7, during “Operation Metro Surge”—a sweeping immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities—Ross and fellow agents encountered Renee Good, 37, and her partner Becca in their maroon Honda Pilot. The couple, having dropped off their young son at school, stopped near Portland Avenue to observe what they described as support for “neighbors” targeted in the raids. Bystander videos and Ross’s own cellphone footage (later released by DHS) captured the escalating tension.
Agents approached the vehicle, ordering Good to exit. She responded calmly: “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you.” As one agent attempted to open the door, Good reversed briefly before accelerating forward and to the right—away from the officers, according to independent video analyses by The New York Times, CNN, and Bellingcat. Ross, positioned near the driver’s side with one arm braced against the SUV, fired three shots through the windshield and open window. Good crashed into a parked car and was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds to the chest, arm, and head.
Federal officials, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump, immediately defended Ross, claiming Good had “weaponized” her vehicle in an attempt to run him over—an act labeled “domestic terrorism.” Trump posted on Truth Social: “She viciously ran over our brave agent—shots fired in self-defense!” However, synchronized footage raised doubts: Ross appeared to walk away unaided immediately after the shots, with no clear evidence of being struck by the vehicle at high speed.
Ross’s Injuries: The Unseen Toll
Initial reports from DHS described Ross as “recovering” after hospital release the same day, but anonymous sources later revealed he suffered severe internal bleeding to the torso—possibly from being clipped or dragged briefly by the accelerating SUV. CBS News and USA Today cited officials confirming the injury, though videos showed Ross moving without apparent distress. Skeptics, including use-of-force experts interviewed by the Star Tribune, questioned the severity, noting a bruise or minor impact could qualify as “internal bleeding,” while others suggested the claim bolstered the self-defense narrative.
By January 10, Ross was readmitted in critical condition. Donations poured in from across the country, with high-profile contributions—including $10,000 from billionaire Bill Ackman—framing him as a hero defending law and order. Federal unions described him as a “10-year ICE veteran, former Border Patrol agent, and Iraq War combat veteran” who “feared for his life and the lives of his team.” Ross had previously been dragged approximately 100 yards by a fleeing vehicle in a June 2025 incident in Minnesota, an event that left him with lingering trauma, according to court records.
Medical experts speculate the January 7 impact—however minor—may have exacerbated prior injuries or caused delayed complications like splenic rupture or aortic damage. Despite aggressive treatment, including blood transfusions and ventilator support, Ross’s condition deteriorated rapidly in the final days.
A Nation in Mourning and Outrage
Ross’s death has elicited polarized reactions. Supporters, including conservative commentators and law enforcement groups, mourn him as a fallen hero sacrificed on the altar of “woke activism” and sanctuary policies. President Trump issued a statement: “Jonathan Ross was a patriot who gave everything to protect our borders and communities. His death is on the hands of radical left agitators who encourage obstruction and violence against our brave officers.”
Conversely, advocates for Good—whose family hired the firm that represented George Floyd—view the dual tragedy as evidence of systemic overreach. Becca Good released a statement: “Two lives lost in senseless violence. Renee was made of sunshine; she stopped to show kindness. No one should die this way—neither her nor the agent.” Protests in Minneapolis escalated, with vigils blending grief for both victims while demanding independent investigations into Ross’s use of force.
Six federal prosecutors resigned in protest over DOJ priorities—focusing on potential obstruction by Good’s supporters rather than the shooting itself. No civil rights probe into the killing has opened, unlike the rapid George Floyd investigation in the same city.
Broader Implications: Immigration, Force, and Division
Ross, born around 1983, served in the Indiana National Guard during Iraq (2004-2005), joined Border Patrol in 2007, and transferred to ICE around 2015-2016. As a firearms instructor and Special Response Team member, he embodied the militarized approach to immigration enforcement championed in the second Trump term.
His death amplifies calls for reform: stricter guidelines on shooting at vehicles, mandatory body cameras for ICE, and limits on aggressive raids in residential areas. Polls show growing support for abolishing ICE, with the incident fueling 2026 election debates.
As funerals are planned for both Good and Ross, the nation grapples with shared loss amid irreconcilable narratives. Was this justified self-defense gone tragically wrong, or excessive force in a heated crackdown? The answers remain elusive, but the human cost is undeniable.
