Billionaire investor Bill Ackman has made a significant donation to a fundraiser supporting a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent involved in a fatal shooting during an operation in Minneapolis last week. The incident, which resulted in the death of a woman named Renee Nicole Good, has ignited a fierce political debate.
Donation Details and Conflicting Narratives
A $10,000 contribution appears on the GoFundMe page created for ICE officer Jonathan Ross, under the name William Ackman. The fundraiser was set up with a description criticizing media coverage and stating the officer was "1000 percent justified." Ackman later publicly confirmed his donation on the social media platform X.
Federal officials stated the shooting occurred during an active ICE operation. They described a dangerous confrontation where Renee Good was inside an SUV when officer Ross fired "defensive shots," leading to her death at the scene. Vice President JD Vance characterized Good's actions as an attempt to obstruct federal officers.
Ackman's Statement and Family Fundraiser
In his posts, Ackman expressed that he is a "big believer" in the principle of innocence until proven guilty, which guided his support for Ross. He also revealed he had intended to contribute to a separate fundraiser for Renee Good's family but found it had already been closed after surpassing $1.5 million in donations.
Ackman called the situation "a tragedy on all sides," acknowledging the officer was doing his job and the protester likely had no intent to cause lethal harm. He urged for unity to resolve the complex issues dividing the country.
Video Footage Intensifies Political Fallout
The release of video footage from the agent's perspective has further polarized the incident. Prominent Democrats, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have strongly disputed the federal government's account. They have accused the ICE agent of "recklessly using his power that resulted in somebody dying."
This clash between Democratic state leaders and the federal administration underscores the deep national divisions over immigration enforcement and law enforcement accountability. The case continues to develop as investigations proceed.
