As of late March 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially stated it will not pursue criminal charges against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross for the fatal shooting of Renée Good.
WIRED
Federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have defended the January 7, 2026, shooting as an act of justified self-defense, claiming Good “weaponized” her vehicle and attempted to run over agents during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
The Marshall Project
Current Investigative and Legal Status
While federal criminal charges have been declined, the case remains the subject of intense legal and political conflict:
Minnesota Lawsuit: On March 24, 2026, Minnesota state and local officials filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to force the release of evidence. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and local prosecutors argue the federal government has blocked their independent investigation by denying access to witnesses and physical evidence.
Contested Evidence: Bystander video and an independent autopsy commissioned by Good’s family have challenged the federal narrative. Video analysis reportedly suggests Good’s vehicle was turning away from Ross when he fired three shots, striking her in the head.
Immunity Claims: Administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have suggested the agent is protected by “absolute immunity,” a claim local prosecutors and legal experts have publicly disputed.
Local Charges: Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has stated she has not yet made a final decision on whether to file state-level charges, but emphasizes that an independent investigation is required before any such determination can be made.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and a poet, was a U.S. citizen. Her death, along with that of Alex Pretti, sparked nationwide protests and led to the introduction of the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026 in Congress.
The Marshall Project