The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who fatally shot a 37-year-old woman during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis last week has connections to Illinois, according to reports citing local records and family background.
The agent, identified as Jonathan Ross, is reported to be a 2001 graduate of Richwoods High School in Peoria, Illinois, per the Peoria Journal Star and other outlets. Ross, described by federal officials as a 10-year veteran of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations special response team, fired the shots that killed Renee Nicole Good on January 7 in south Minneapolis.
The incident unfolded around 9:30 a.m. near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, less than a mile from the site where George Floyd was killed by police in 2020. Video footage shows ICE agents approaching Good’s red Honda Pilot SUV as she attempted to drive away. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security, including Secretary Kristi Noem, described the shooting as self-defense, claiming Good “weaponized her vehicle” in an attempt to run over agents—an act they labeled “domestic terrorism.” Noem noted that Ross had previously been dragged by a fleeing vehicle during a June 2025 arrest in Bloomington, Minnesota, sustaining injuries.
However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Governor Tim Walz, and other local leaders have strongly disputed the federal account, calling it misleading based on available video evidence. Frey described the incident as reckless use of force and urged ICE to “get the fuck out of Minneapolis.” Witnesses and activists, including Representative Ilhan Omar, portrayed Good—a U.S. citizen and mother of three—as a “legal observer” or community supporter monitoring ICE activities, not an aggressor.
The shooting occurred amid a large-scale federal immigration crackdown in the Minneapolis area, described by DHS as one of its largest operations, involving thousands of agents targeting alleged fraud and immigration violations in Somali communities. Protests erupted immediately, with vigils, marches, and clashes reported in the days following. Tensions remain high, with some demonstrations leading to arrests and property concerns.
The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting, with state authorities like the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension initially involved but later excluded, prompting criticism over transparency and jurisdiction. No charges have been filed against Ross, and it remains unclear if any will be pursued.
Good’s family and supporters have called for accountability, emphasizing her role as a caring neighbor and mother. The incident has fueled national debate over federal immigration enforcement tactics, use of force by agents, and relations between local governments and the Trump administration.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI. This story is developing as protests continue and investigations proceed.