Star Tribune identifies ICE agent who fatally shot woman in Minneapolis

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who fatally shot a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 is Jonathan Ross, the same officer who was dragged and injured by a fleeing driver in a separate incident last year, according to a person with knowledge of the case and verified by court documents.

Little public information is available about Ross, 43, described only by federal officials as “an experienced” officer with more than 10 years at ICE. It’s not immediately clear which field office Ross is based out of.

On Wednesday morning, Ross was embedded with a group of federal agents on a targeted crackdown in south Minneapolis when Renee Nicole Good was shot. A photo of Ross’ face has since circulated on social media, as online sleuths have attempted to identify him.

ICE declined to verify his name when reached for comment on this story.

“He acted according to his training,” Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an email, noting that this specific agent was selected for ICE’s Special Response Team, is an expert marksman and “has been serving his country his entire life.”

She claimed that agents have endured a massive surge in assaults and death threats as they conduct their duties.

“The Star Tribune should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for their reckless behavior, and they should delete their story immediately,” she said.

Five use-of-force experts interviewed by the Star Tribune questioned the agent’s decision to shoot at a moving vehicle, with some outright calling it a “bad shooting.” Others said the agent who fired may have legitimately feared for his life, but they noted that most police departments discourage shooting at a moving vehicle because deadly force is unlikely to stop the car and could jeopardize bystanders.

On June 17, Ross was participating in an arrest of Roberto Carlos Munoz-Guatemala, a Mexican citizen, in Bloomington. Munoz-Guatemala had previously been convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and had been put on a detainer by immigration officials. Munoz-Guatemala ignored the agents’ commands, including to fully roll down his car window, so Ross broke open his rear window and reached inside to unlock the door.

Munoz-Guatemala put the vehicle in drive and accelerated onto the curb, the charges said. Ross was dragged alongside the vehicle and twice fired his Taser as Munoz-Guatemala wove back and forth “in an apparent attempt to shake” him from the car. About 300 feet down the road, Munoz-Guatemala re-entered the street and the force knocked the officer from the car.

The agent required 20 stitches for a deep cut in his right arm and another 13 stitches in his left hand, according to court documents. A jury convicted Munoz-Guatemala of assaulting a federal officer in December.

Hours after the shooting Wednesday morning, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the agent involved had “been dragged by a vehicle” in an earlier incident. At the time, she did not provide specific location details.

DHS confirmed Thursday that the agent who killed Good was the same officer dragged by a suspect in Bloomington last June. Although Ross was not named in the 13-page indictment of the driver, he is identified in several court records in the case, including photo exhibits from the hospital. He is also listed by name as a witness and in the jury instructions.

A law enforcement source, who is not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed that Ross is the shooter.

Vice President JD Vance took questions at the White House on Thursday afternoon, announcing a new associate attorney general to oversee fraud — with a mission that will begin in Minnesota.

He also defended the agent’s actions.

“That very ICE officer nearly had his life ended … six months ago,” Vance said, referring to the earlier car-dragging incident.

Asked about Gov. Tim Walz’s comments that the Trump administration’s escalation of ICE agents amplified and led to the shooting, Vance dismissed his former vice presidential opponent.

“I don’t care what Tim Walz says,” Vance said.