Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7, has issued his first public message following a major wave of online fundraising in his support. At the same time, a neighbor has come forward alleging that Ross misrepresented his profession to people living near him.
The incident has deeply divided public opinion across the United States. While the Minneapolis community continues to mourn the loss of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, others—including former President Donald Trump—have publicly stated that Ross acted appropriately under the circumstances.
Crowdfunding Raises Nearly $900,000
In the weeks following the incident, significant financial support has flowed to both families connected to the case. Donations supporting Jonathan Ross have been collected primarily through two online platforms.
As of the latest totals, one GoFundMe campaign has raised approximately $614,000, while a GiveSendGo fundraiser has collected $248,000, bringing combined donations to more than $860,000. Supporters have described the funds as assistance for legal expenses, family needs, and personal security.
On Monday, GiveSendGo co-founder Jacob Wells shared a message he said came directly from Ross.
“I just got off the phone with the ICE agent involved in this tragic situation,” Wells wrote on social media. “He is extremely grateful for the overwhelming support. Funds will be released to help ensure his family’s safety and stability during this time.”
Background in Military and Immigration Enforcement
Ross is an Iraq war veteran who returned to the United States in 2005. Two years later, he joined the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas, where he worked as a field intelligence agent until 2015. That year, he transitioned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), serving as a deportation officer based in Minnesota.
Neighbors previously described Ross as quiet and reserved, while portraying his wife as friendly and outgoing. The couple has children and had lived quietly in their Minneapolis neighborhood.
Neighbor Says She Was Unaware He Worked for ICE
However, a woman who lives nearby has now spoken anonymously to People Magazine, claiming she did not know Ross worked in immigration enforcement and alleging that he misrepresented his occupation in casual conversations.
According to the neighbor, she met Ross during a neighborhood garage gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic. She recalled being told that he worked with plants and identified himself as a botanist.
“He said he worked with plants,” she claimed. “He talked about enjoying border-related work but said he loved plants. I had no idea he was an ICE agent.”
She said learning his identity after seeing news coverage of the shooting was shocking and difficult to comprehend.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Tension
The neighbor also stated that authorities later removed Ross’s belongings from his home following the incident. She described the experience as unsettling and said the situation has had a noticeable emotional impact on the neighborhood.
“It’s disturbing to realize how close this all was,” she said. “People aren’t really talking about it openly because everyone wants to keep the peace. No one wants conflict on the street.”
She added that the broader context of ongoing immigration enforcement actions has made processing the situation even more challenging.
“Every day you hear about more detentions,” she said. “It’s a lot to take in.”
A Case Still Under Public Scrutiny
As investigations and legal reviews continue, the case remains a focal point in national conversations about law enforcement accountability, immigration policy, and the role of crowdfunding in high-profile legal cases.
The shooting, the financial support campaigns, and the emerging personal accounts from those connected to the individuals involved continue to shape public discussion surrounding public safety and trust in institutions.