ICE Agent Hid His Identity as Botanist Before Fatal Minneapolis Shooting
Jonathan Ross, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who shot and killed Minneapolis woman Renee Good, kept his real job a secret from people living nearby. He told neighbors he worked as a botanist instead. A woman from Ross's neighborhood in Minneapolis shared her shock with PEOPLE magazine. She expressed disbelief upon learning Ross was the shooter and that he served as an ICE agent.
Neighbor Recalls Disturbing Encounter at Garage Party
The woman met Ross once at a neighborhood garage party in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. At that gathering, Ross described his occupation to guests. He stated he worked with plants as a botanist. "He said he enjoyed border control but loved plants," she recalls. "So when I found out he was the one on the news, I said, 'What! That's so crazy!' I had no idea he was an ICE agent."
Her reaction turned to distress as the reality sank in. "It really creeps me out that those are my neighbors — that that's the kind of people I live next to. It's really upsetting," the woman added. She admitted assuming all ICE agents came from states like Texas, Arizona, and Florida.
Where Is Jonathan Ross Now?
Jonathan Ross is currently believed to be in hiding. His name emerged as the killer of Renee Good following the incident. The administration defended his actions, supporting the claim that Good, who was in a car, intended to run him over. This justification has faced strong opposition.
Political Fallout and Investigation
Democratic leaders are demanding charges and arrest for Ross. They argue Renee Good was not attacking the ICE agent but turning her car away. Federal investigators, however, appear unlikely to press charges against Ross according to The New York Times.
The Donald Trump administration labeled Good as a 'terrorist.' Her family members countered this portrayal, stating she was not an activist. They revealed she had just dropped her son off at school moments before encountering ICE agents and being shot dead.
Friends of Good described her as an anti-ICE warrior. She participated in a local ICE Watch group and documented immigration crackdowns in Minnesota. This background adds complexity to the ongoing debate surrounding the shooting.
