“I NEVER SAW THIS COMING” — public shock spread rapidly, as support for the officer quietly surged, creating a powerful wave of controversy when widespread fundraiser totals began to surface, reshaping how many viewed the aftermath of the fatal Minneapolis shooting. What first seemed like routine online donations quickly revealed a deeper pattern of national division and political tension over the incident and its interpretation. This shift has now become a defining turning point in the ongoing debate over accountability and how communities respond to controversial deaths. The situation continues to grip observers, forcing many to confront how quickly sympathy and outrage can evolve into something much larger
A federal immigration officer involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good has reportedly become a millionaire following an outpouring of financial support through online crowdfunding platforms. The officer, Jonathan “Jon” Ross, 43, has received more than one million dollars combined from campaigns hosted on GoFundMe and GiveSendGo, according to publicly available figures. Notably, neither of the fundraising efforts was set up by Ross himself, but both have drawn intense attention and controversy nationwide.
One of the largest campaigns, hosted on GoFundMe, has raised in excess of $747,000. The organizer, Clyde Emmons, framed the fundraiser as a show of solidarity for Ross, arguing that the officer’s actions were fully justified. In his description, Emmons used inflammatory language about Good and insisted that Ross deserved public backing. The campaign quickly gained traction, drawing tens of thousands of donations, the vast majority of which were made anonymously.
A second fundraiser on GiveSendGo has generated more than $279,000. Its creator, Tom Hennessey, also characterized Ross as acting in self-defense and urged supporters to contribute as a demonstration of political and ideological alignment. The language used in that campaign further fueled debate, as critics accused organizers of exploiting a tragic death to advance polarizing narratives. GiveSendGo later confirmed that funds raised on its platform were intended to go directly to Ross, with some money already released.
Among the donors to the GoFundMe campaign was billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who was listed as the single largest contributor after donating $10,000. Ackman later described the shooting as a “tragedy” in a post on social media, adding that he had attempted to donate to a fundraiser for Good’s family but found it had already closed after surpassing $1.5 million. His involvement added another layer of complexity to the public reaction, drawing attention from both supporters and critics.
Meanwhile, federal investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding Good’s death. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting a detailed inquiry, though individuals close to the case have indicated that criminal charges against Ross appear increasingly unlikely. In parallel, the civil rights division of the Department of Justice has not launched a separate investigation into whether Good’s constitutional rights were violated, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Authorities are also reportedly exploring whether Good had any links to activist groups involved in monitoring immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis. Investigators are said to be reviewing the actions of a broader group of individuals who participated in neighborhood watch-style protests on the day of the shooting. However, it remains unclear whether Good herself was involved in any organized activism beyond being present at the protest. She was a 37-year-old mother of three, and her family has emphasized that her role that day has been widely misunderstood.
Good’s relatives have retained the Chicago-based law firm Romanucci & Blandin to conduct a civil investigation into the shooting. The firm, which previously represented the family of George Floyd, stated that it plans to release additional findings in the coming weeks. In a public statement, the family accused federal officers of responsibility for Good’s death and asked that she be remembered as “an agent of peace.” They also urged the public not to turn her death into a political weapon.
Ross, for his part, has sought legal representation through attorney Chris Madel, a Minnesota gubernatorial candidate, who confirmed his involvement. Madel explained that Ross has applied for legal defense under federal provisions and could ultimately be represented by government attorneys if the case proceeds further.
Officials from the previous administration defended the officer’s actions, stating that he fired after Good’s vehicle moved forward while he was positioned in front of it. That explanation has been strongly disputed by several state and local leaders, who cited video footage that they
As donations continue to pour in and investigations move forward, the case has ignited a broader debate about whether law enforcement officers involved in fatal incidents should be permitted to benefit from personal fundraising campaigns. The situation remains deeply divisive, with strong emotions on all sides and no clear resolution yet in sight.
