Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent involved in a fatal shooting, has recently amassed a fortune through online fundraising efforts. This rapid financial backing has ignited nationwide controversy, prompting billionaire Bill Ackman to step in with his own perspective.
The tragic incident involving Renee Nicole Good took place on January 7, just a short distance from where George Floyd lost his life in Minneapolis. Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, suffered fatal injuries to her chest, arm, and head, and was declared dead within an hour of emergency responders arriving at the scene located near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue.
The shooting sparked intense public anger and reignited the intense conversation around the use of federal force.
The Perception of ‘Domestic Terrorism’
Following the incident, federal authorities portrayed Renee Good as a dangerous provocateur. President Donald Trump labeled her actions as “very violent” and “very radical,” with his administration further characterizing her as a “lunatic.” These descriptions were met with strong opposition from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who dismissed them as “bulls**t.”
A report obtained by CNN depicted how ICE agent Jonathan Ross discharged his weapon, hitting Good in critical areas including her right chest, left forearm, and head.
Ross has not returned to active duty since the event. Homeland Security later classified the shooting as “an act of domestic terrorism,” clarifying that it was a defensive move made to protect bystanders.
Rapid Fundraiser Success
In the aftermath of Good’s death, support for her family surged. A GoFundMe initiative aimed at aiding her wife and children rapidly accumulated over $1.5 million within just 48 hours, before closing on January 9. The campaign’s message acknowledged the generosity, expressing gratitude and suggesting that interested donors support others in need.
Jonathan Ross’s Millionaire Status
Contrarily, as the fundraising for Good’s family came to a halt, a new wave of donations began targeting ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Supporters launched several fundraising pages, significantly boosting Ross’s finances. One GoFundMe campaign raised nearly $760,000, while another effort on GiveSendGo collected an additional $283,000. Together, these fundraisers have propelled Ross’s donations past the $1 million threshold, theoretically making him a millionaire if the funds are transferred as intended.
Initiated by Clyde Emmons, the GoFundMe campaign presented Ross as an unjustly criticized officer. Emmons expressed his belief that Ross, whom he deemed “1,000 percent justified” in his actions, deserved financial support. Updates indicated coordination with Ross to transfer the collected funds according to his wishes.
Bill Ackman’s Involvement
The campaign garnered the attention of notable investor Bill Ackman, who disclosed a $10,000 contribution to Ross’s fundraiser. On X, Ackman addressed the criticism he faced, clarifying that his donation aimed to ensure Ross had the necessary resources for his defense, not as a political stance.
“I’ve been faced with widespread critique for supporting Jonathan Ross,” Ackman wrote, emphasizing that a justice system where an accused cannot afford defense services is undesirable. Ackman highlighted his intent was purely to safeguard the legal process, leaving the determination of any wrongdoing by Ross to forensic and legal experts.
The considerable sums raised for ICE agent Jonathan Ross have sparked outrage among those condemning what they deem an unwarranted loss of life, viewing the financial backing as a tacit endorsement of excessive governmental force.
Less than two weeks after Renee Good’s tragic death, Jonathan Ross finds himself financially buoyed and labeled a hero by a section of the public.
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