Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot by an ICE agent — identified as Jonathan Ross — on January 7 during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The encounter occurred when Good, who was driving her SUV on a neighborhood street near her home, moved her vehicle as agents approached, and Ross fired multiple shots through the car’s window, killing her. Footage from the incident circulated widely online and prompted sharp debate about whether Good posed a real threat. Federal authorities described the shooting as self-defense, claiming Good tried to use her vehicle as a weapon; local officials and community members strongly dispute that narrative. In the aftermath, Minneapolis and other U.S. cities saw large protests against the presence and tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with critics calling for accountability and the agency’s removal from the city.
Fundraising for Good’s Family
In the hours after the shooting, supporters launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Good’s partner and children. That fundraiser rapidly surpassed its original $50,000 goal and was closed after raising more than $1.5 million in donations, which organizers say will be placed into a trust for her family.
The GoFundMe for the ICE Officer
Shortly after the first campaign began, a separate GoFundMe was created for ICE agent Jonathan Ross. This account, started by a third-party organizer, aimed to support Ross — notably for potential legal costs related to the shooting — and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. As of the latest reports, the fundraiser has approached roughly $370,000. However, that campaign has drawn controversy because GoFundMe’s terms generally prohibit fundraisers that benefit someone’s legal defense in violent incidents, and the platform has said it is reviewing the fundraiser to ensure compliance with its own policies.
Bill Ackman’s $10,000 Donation
One of the most talked-about developments is the $10,000 contribution from billionaire investor Bill Ackman to the GoFundMe supporting the ICE agent. Ackman — founder of Pershing Square Capital Management — confirmed the donation on social media, writing that he believes strongly in the principle that people are “innocent until proven guilty.” He also said he intended to support Good’s family’s fundraiser but found it had already been closed by the time he tried to donate. Ackman described the situation as a tragedy and called for unity in confronting the broader issues it highlights. His donation made him one of the top contributors to the Ross fundraiser, alongside other large gifts that pushed the total well into six figures.
Public and Political Reaction
The contrasting fundraising efforts and Ackman’s involvement have fueled further debate:
- Supporters of Good see the large turnout of donations for her family as a sign of widespread sympathy and anger over her death.
- Backers of Ross and some political figures argue that the agent was justified in acting to protect himself and that support for him is appropriate given the circumstances.
- Critics say the Ross fundraiser improperly benefits someone connected to a fatal shooting, and question the appropriateness of public platforms hosting such campaigns.
Ongoing Investigation
Federal authorities are continuing to investigate the shooting, and there are calls from Minnesota officials for the state to have access to key evidence. No criminal charges have been filed against Ross as of now, and the probe’s outcome remains uncertain.
