ICE agent in Minnesota shooting “extremely appreciative” of fundraiser

Why It Matters

The killing of Good, a 37-year-old mother, by Ross on January 7 has sparked protests in multiple cities and intensified national debate over immigration enforcement tactics under the Trump administration. Competing fundraising efforts reflect deep divisions over the incident, with federal officials defending Ross’ actions while state and local authorities question the self-defense narrative.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey directly challenged the Trump administration’s characterization of the shooting, calling video evidence contradictory to claims that Good “weaponized” her vehicle. Minnesota Democrats have raised concerns about the investigation being conducted solely by federal authorities after the FBI barred state and local law enforcement from reviewing key evidence.

The incident has become a flashpoint in broader discussions about immigration enforcement methods, use-of-force protocols and jurisdictional authority in federal law enforcement operations.

What To Know

Ross, 43, is an Iraq War veteran who served with the Indiana Army National Guard from 2002 to 2008, earning multiple service medals including the Army Commendation Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal. After returning from deployment in 2005, he joined the Border Patrol in 2007 and became an ICE deportation officer in 2015.

According to court testimony, Ross currently works in fugitive operations targeting high-value suspects and serves as a team leader on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. He also serves as a firearms instructor, active shooter instructor and SWAT team member.

Ross was injured during a June 2024 arrest attempt when suspect Roberto Carlos Munoz, a convicted sex offender, dragged him about 100 yards after his arm became caught in a vehicle window. Ross required 33 stitches for his injuries. Munoz was convicted of assault on a federal officer.

The GiveSendGo fundraiser, titled “Stand With Our Brave ICE Hero,” describes the campaign as supporting an agent who “stopped a deadly attack on America’s Border Enforcers.” The page states that ICE vehicles became stuck in snow during an operation, and characterizes Good as “a radical leftist agitator” who “weaponized her car—accelerating straight at our agents.” The fundraiser claims Ross “fired in self-defense to neutralize the threat, saving lives and upholding the law.”

The campaign criticizes Frey for his statements against ICE operations, noting that he told federal agents to “get the f— out” of his city and signed executive orders banning ICE from using city property for deportations. The fundraiser states that donations will support Ross’ “personal costs, family protection, and anything else related to this righteous act of duty.”

The GoFundMe page for Ross was set up by Clyde Emmons, who wrote that after “seeing all the media bs about a domestic terrorist getting go fund me. I feel that the officer that was 1000 percent justified in the shooting deserves to have a go fund me.”

GoFundMe’s terms prohibit fundraisers for legal defense of anyone formally charged with a violent crime, though Ross has not been charged. The spokesperson confirmed that the only verified fundraiser connected to the shooting supports Good’s family.

Billionaire Bill Ackman confirmed making a donation to Ross’ GoFundMe, citing the legal principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” Ackman said he also intended to donate to Good’s family fundraiser but it “was closed by the time I attempted to provide support.”

A GoFundMe set up for Good has raised more than $1.5 million, after beginning with a starting goal of $50,000, as of 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Good left behind three children, including a 6-year-old son who previously lost his father.

What People Are Saying

Jonathan Ross GiveSendGo fundraiser description: “America First patriots! In the frozen streets of Minneapolis, our fearless ICE agents were out doing the job the invaders and their enablers hate most: rounding up and deporting illegal aliens who have no right to be flooding our nation, draining resources, and threatening our sovereignty. Their vehicles got stuck in the snow during a high-stakes operation to purge these lawbreaking parasites from our soil, and as they worked to get moving, a radical leftist agitator weaponized her car—accelerating straight at our agents in a blatant act of domestic terrorism aimed at killing or maiming the men protecting our borders from the endless invasion.”

Bill Ackman, on X: “I am big believer in our legal principal that one is innocent until proven guilty. To that end, I supported the @gofundme for Jonathan Ross and intended to similarly support the gofundme for Renee Good’s family (her gofundme was closed by the time I attempted to provide support).

“The whole situation is a tragedy. An officer doing his best to do his job, and a protester who likely did not intend to kill the officer but whose actions in a split second led to her death. Our country is stronger if we work together to resolve the complex issues that are tearing us apart.”

Jonathan Ross’ father, Ed Ross, told the Daily Mail: “She hit him. He also had an officer whose arm was in the car. He will not be charged with anything.”

Good’s wife, Becca Good, in a statement to MPR News, in part: “On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns.

“Renee leaves behind three extraordinary children; the youngest is just six years old and already lost his father. I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him. That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way.”

Vice President JD Vance defended the agent during a press conference at the White House on Thursday, saying: “You have a federal law enforcement official engaging in federal law enforcement action. That’s a federal issue. That guy is protected by absolute immunity. He was doing his job.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, said on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday: “In the immediacy following the shooting, you heard people from the Trump administration saying that the victim was a domestic terrorist. You heard that the ICE agent was acting entirely in self-defense. And here’s the thing: You don’t need to take my word for it. You don’t need to take their word for it. Watch the video. The ICE agent was not run over, as Trump stated. You had a person that was definitively trying to just get out of there. They were trying to leave the scene. That is not a person that’s trying to run an ICE agent over.”

What Happens Next

A federal investigation into Good’s death is underway, though Minnesota officials are challenging the Trump administration’s decision to bar state and local agencies from participating and leaving it solely to the FBI. Whether Ross will face charges remains uncertain.

GoFundMe continues reviewing the fundraiser for compliance with platform policies. Meanwhile, immigration enforcement operations are expected to continue in the Twin Cities, with protests against ICE likely to persist in coming days.

The news cycle is loud. Algorithms push us to extremes. In the middle—where facts, ideas and progress live—there’s a void. At Newsweek, we fill it with fearless, fair and fiercely independent journalism.

Common ground isn’t just possible—it’s essential. Our readers reflect America’s diversity, united by a desire for thoughtful, unbiased news. Independent ratings confirm our approach: NewsGuard gives us 100/100 for reliability, and AllSides places us firmly in the political center.

In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. Ours is different: The Courageous Center—it’s not “both sides,” it’s sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.

When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy:

•   Conventional Wisdom: Tracking political winds with clarity.
•   Uncommon Knowledge: Deep dives into overlooked truths.
•   Ad-free browsing and exclusive editor conversations.

Help keep the center courageous. Join today.