Opinions about the recent fatal shooting in Minneapolis have been sharply divided along political lines. Those on the right, looking at it through a red-tinted lens, immediately claimed it was an act of domestic terrorism perpetrated by a paid political activist. Those on the left, viewing it through a blue-tinted lens, immediately responded that it was an act of murder committed by an over-zealous Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.
Thus far the primary evidence consists of a number of cellphone videos of the incident taken by various sources, including the wife of the victim and the agent who fired the fatal shots.
Let’s take a moment and review these videos through a neutral lens. The videos show two indisputable facts: Agent Jonathan Ross fired three shots from his service revolver; and those shots resulted in the death of Renee Nicole Good. Anything else viewed on these videos is subject to speculation and interpretation.
Shortly after the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump both claimed, without evidence, that Ms. Good had attempted to hit Agent Ross with her SUV and that he fired in self-defense.
President Trump specifically said that she struck Agent Ross and that he was lucky to be alive. In a news conference the following day, Vice President JD Vance reiterated these claims, still without evidence, and further falsely claimed that regardless of his actions, Agent Ross was protected by absolute immunity.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz each held separate press conferences within hours of the shooting and countered the claims of Noem and Trump, laying the blame on the ICE agent, again with no evidence.
Making unsubstantiated conclusions immediately following a tragedy such as this with no investigation or supporting evidence by these five high-ranking government officials is not only irresponsible but is also highly inflammatory and only serves to exacerbate an already tense and volatile situation.
Again, viewing the available video through a neutral lens, let’s take a closer look at some of the other elements of this encounter, realizing that it can be subject to interpretation, and that hopefully more conclusive evidence will come forth.
First, there is a vocal encounter between Agent Ross, Ms. Good and her wife as recorded by Agent Ross. In the exchange between the wife and Agent Ross, her attitude seems to be somewhat defiant and disrespectful but is definitely not threatening or inflammatory. In the exchange between Ross and Good, her left hand is visible on the driver’s door window, and her right arm is on top of the steering wheel. She is smiling and calmly says something like, “Hey dude, I’m not mad at you.” Nothing transpired between any of them that should have caused this situation to escalate out of control.
Also, in the video another agent attempts to open her car door and, using profanity, orders her to get out of the car. At that time Agent Ross is positioned in front and to the driver’s side of the SUV. Ms. Good then backs up several feet, turns the wheels sharply to the right as if to avoid Agent Ross, and begins to pull forward. The three shots are fired, the car continues to accelerate, and yards away hits another parked car and comes to a stop.
Those viewing the available video through a red-tinted lens claim that the vehicle struck Agent Ross. Those viewing through a blue-tinted lens deny that claim. My neutral lens indicates that it is inconclusive as to whether contact is made between car and man. It should be noted that video of Agent Ross walking down the street from the point of the incident to the final point of impact minutes later shows him walking with no sign of injury or impairment. Hopefully additional video will surface and/or hospital records indicating the cause and extent of any injuries suffered by Agent Ross will be released to clarify this crucial point.
There is one major question regarding this aspect of this tragedy: If it was Ms. Good’s intention to use her SUV as a weapon and strike Agent Ross with it, why did she first reverse the car, then turn the wheels to the right, away from him before accelerating? If her intent was bodily harm, wouldn’t she have turned the wheels toward him and accelerated much more aggressively?
I have one further question regarding the acceleration aspect of this matter that I have not heard anyone ask: What was the rate of acceleration from the first forward movement of the vehicle until the shots were fired, and how did it change at that point? I’m sure we have the technical capability to make that determination and it could be illuminating.
Many other questions remain from the limited video and other evidence we have seen. Many more questions will surely arise. One additional fact is abundantly clear: Political bias is showing from leaders(?) on both sides. They are doing a tremendous disservice to this country in their rush to judgement and are creating much unneeded divisiveness.
Finally, how is it possible that the same people who describe the Jan. 6, 2021 events at the U.S. Capitol as “peaceful protests” in one breath, can also claim that the action of Ms. Good on Jan. 7, 2026 was “domestic terrorism” in another? What kind of unbiased report can we expect to get when the three most-influential government officials in the country have already come to their own conclusion?
Late update: The Department of Justice announced there will not be an investigation into the actions of Agent Ross, but there will be an investigation into Ms. Good’s wife. I’m not sure how to view this development through a neutral lens, so I will decline to comment.
Jack Crawford
Saugus
