Minneapolis, Minnesota – A rapidly growing online fundraiser for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who fatally shot a protester during a raid in Minneapolis has drawn nearly $800,000 in donations, highlighting the sharp political and cultural divisions surrounding immigration enforcement and policing in the United States. The case, first detailed by The Telegraph, has sparked national debate over accountability, law enforcement, and protest rights.
A Fundraiser Started by a Stranger Goes Viral
Two days after ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, during a confrontation near her Minneapolis home, a Michigan landscaper named Clyde Emmons created a GoFundMe page to support Ross’s legal defence. Emmons had never met Ross and based his actions solely on media coverage he had seen on television.
In the fundraiser description, Emmons claimed the shooting was justified and criticised a separate fundraising effort for Good’s family. Despite its crude language and Emmons’s lack of any connection to Ross, the fundraiser quickly gained traction. Within a week, it surpassed $600,000, eventually climbing to approximately $787,000 from nearly 17,000 donors, including a single $10,000 contribution.
Shooting During ICE Raid Sparks National Outcry
Ross was part of a team of ICE officers conducting a raid in Minneapolis on January 7 when the shooting occurred. According to the Trump administration, Ross acted in self-defence after Good allegedly attempted to run him over at a roadblock. Critics dispute that account, arguing the incident was avoidable.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz publicly described the shooting as “totally avoidable,” a statement that intensified political backlash. Protests following Good’s death spread to multiple U.S. cities, drawing comparisons to demonstrations that followed the killing of George Floyd in 2020, though on a smaller scale.
Competing Fundraisers Reflect Polarisation
While Ross’s defence fund surged, a separate GoFundMe for Good’s family raised more than $1.5 million before being closed. Good’s death drew support from activists and celebrities, including Mark Ruffalo, who wore a “Be Good” badge at the Golden Globe Awards.
At the same time, Ross has been embraced by supporters who view him as a law enforcement officer carrying out a dangerous job under intense public scrutiny. Donations to his fund surged further after hedge-fund billionaire Bill Ackman publicly shared the link with his 1.9 million followers on X. Ackman contributed $10,000 and said he believed strongly in the legal principle that individuals are innocent until proven guilty.
Supporters Defend Officer, Critics Question Tactics
Many donors argue Ross deserves financial and moral support while investigations continue. Some contributors have been outspoken, including Ronald Eibensteiner, a venture capitalist and former chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, who donated $1,000 and suggested he may contribute more.
Eibensteiner said law enforcement officers face extreme pressures and receive insufficient respect, adding that political leaders often rush to judgment without understanding the realities of police work.
Meanwhile, Emmons, who launched the fundraiser, has withdrawn from public view after facing backlash for earlier inflammatory remarks about Good. Despite his retreat, donations to the page have continued steadily.
Wider Debate Over ICE Enforcement Practices
Beyond the fundraising controversy, the case has renewed scrutiny of ICE’s enforcement methods. Many Americans have expressed discomfort with masked ICE agents conducting raids in residential areas and detaining migrants from homes and vehicles.
Even public figures who previously supported President Donald Trump have voiced concern. Podcaster Joe Rogan, who endorsed Trump’s re-election in 2024, recently criticised ICE’s tactics, comparing them to those of authoritarian regimes.
A Case That Continues to Divide the Country
As investigations into the shooting continue, the duelling fundraisers have become symbols of a nation deeply divided over immigration, policing, and protest. For supporters on both sides, the case represents far more than a single encounter—it reflects conflicting visions of justice, public safety, and the role of federal enforcement in American communities.
