Debating if ICE Agent ‘LAWFULLY’ Shot Protestor Renee Good
The fatal shooting of Renée Nicole Good (also referred to as Renee Good), a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis has ignited intense national debate over whether the use of deadly force was lawful.
The incident occurred amid heightened ICE enforcement operations in the city, part of a broader federal immigration crackdown. Good, described by local officials and family as a poet, community member, and someone present to support neighbors or act as a legal observer, was in her SUV partially blocking a street during an ICE action. Videos from bystanders, witnesses, and Ross’s own cellphone show agents approaching her vehicle, ordering her to exit, and reaching into the open window.
According to federal officials, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump, Good ignored commands, accelerated her vehicle in a way that “weaponized” it against Ross—striking or attempting to run him over—prompting him to fire three shots in self-defense: one through the windshield and two through the driver’s side window as the car moved past. Officials described it as a justified response to an imminent threat, labeling Good’s actions as potential “domestic terrorism.” Ross reportedly suffered internal bleeding and injuries, though accounts vary on severity.
Critics, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, eyewitnesses, and analyses from outlets like The New York Times, contest this narrative. Synchronized video footage shows no clear evidence that the vehicle ran over Ross or posed an immediate lethal threat; Good appeared to be turning away or driving forward slowly after the confrontation escalated. Local leaders called the shooting reckless, pointing to Good’s position as non-threatening and the agent’s tactical positioning (standing in front of a moving vehicle and reaching inside) as poor and contrary to standard de-escalation practices. Some experts question whether ICE agents had full authority to issue such commands to a U.S. citizen not directly targeted in an immigration arrest.
The Department of Justice has declined to investigate Ross’s actions, deeming them justified, while focusing probes on Good’s partner, potential protester networks, and even state officials for allegedly encouraging resistance. No federal charges have been filed against the agent, though an internal ICE review is underway, and he was placed on brief administrative leave per protocol.
The event has sparked widespread protests across the U.S., renewed scrutiny of ICE tactics (noting multiple shootings since late 2025), and calls for accountability. Supporters of the agent argue law enforcement must be protected when facing resistance during duties; opponents see it as excessive force against a citizen exercising observation rights in a tense community environment.
Ultimately, the debate hinges on conflicting interpretations of the video evidence, the reasonableness of the perceived threat, and the legal standards for deadly force. Without independent prosecution or conclusive findings, opinions remain sharply divided along political and ideological lines.