The federal agent who shot and killed a driver during an operation in Minneapolis this week has been identified as Jonathan Ross, a veteran of the Iraq War and a nearly two-decade career in federal immigration enforcement, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.
Agent's Background and the Fatal Incident
Ross, 43, shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as she attempted to drive away from agents. Federal officials have not officially named the officer involved, but Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem referenced an agent who had been dragged by a vehicle last June. A department spokesperson confirmed she was referring to the Bloomington, Minnesota, case where documents identified the injured officer as Ross.
Trump administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have publicly defended the agent's actions. They describe him as an experienced professional who followed his training, firing because he believed Good was trying to run him or other agents over. However, video evidence has raised questions about whether the shooting was in self-defense, prompting an FBI investigation into the deadly use of force. Some protesters are demanding criminal charges against Ross.
A Career in Military and Law Enforcement
Courtroom testimony last month revealed Ross's extensive background. He deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005 with the Indiana National Guard, serving as a machine gunner on a combat patrol team. After returning, he joined the U.S. Border Patrol in 2007, working near El Paso, Texas, as a field intelligence agent focused on cartels and smuggling.
Ross transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2015, serving as a deportation officer based in Minnesota. He is assigned to fugitive operations targeting "higher value targets" and also acts as a team leader with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Ross is a certified firearms instructor, active shooter instructor, and a member of a SWAT team.
Previous Injury During a Violent Arrest
Ross was seriously injured on June 17, last year, while attempting to arrest a man in Bloomington, Minnesota. According to court records, Ross broke a car window to reach inside and unlock the door of suspect Roberto Munoz-Guatemala. The driver accelerated, dragging Ross down the street for the length of a football field before he was knocked free.
Ross suffered multiple large cuts and abrasions, requiring dozens of stitches. He fired his Taser during the incident, striking the driver. Munoz-Guatemala was later convicted of assault on a federal officer. DHS assistant Tricia McLaughlin cited this incident and Ross's selection for ICE's elite special response team as evidence of his training and dedication.
The investigation into the shooting of Renee Good continues, with Minnesota authorities also seeking to examine the case. Attempts to reach Ross for comment were not immediately successful.
