Washington (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) January
20, 2026 - The FBI denied reports claiming it shut down a civil rights
investigation into Jonathan Ross, charged with shooting an ICE officer in Los
Angeles on December 15, 2025. Agency officials confirmed the probe remains
active with ongoing evidence collection and witness interviews as of January
19. Social media claims citing Washington Post reporting alleged initial
findings supported further scrutiny of the shooting officer's conduct before
abrupt termination.
FBI spokesperson released a statement clarifying the civil
rights division continues examining potential violations under 18 USC 241
following Ross's arrest for attempted murder and domestic terrorism. Ross
allegedly fired multiple rounds at an ICE officer outside the Los Angeles field
office, wounding the officer in the shoulder and leg. The officer underwent
surgery and returned to limited duty after physical therapy.
The denial addressed X platform posts referencing a
Washington Post article about an FBI agent's initial review finding sufficient
grounds for probing the ICE officer's actions in the incident. Federal charges
against Ross include firearm discharge during a crime of violence, with trial
scheduled for March 2026 in Central District of California.
Jonathan ross ice shooting incident sequence events
Credit: Jonathan Hordle/Rex Features
Jonathan Ross approached the ICE Los Angeles field office
perimeter at 2:15 pm on December 15 carrying an AR-15-style rifle and
distributing manifesto copies earlier that day. Surveillance footage showed
Ross shouting against deportation policies before firing at a uniformed officer
during a routine shift change. The officer returned fire, striking Ross in the
leg, leading to his apprehension within 90 seconds.
Emergency services transported the wounded officer to
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for artery repair and bullet fragment removal. Ross
received treatment for his leg injury and remained in federal custody without
bail. Authorities recovered 23 cartridge casings and an 18-page manifesto
titled "Sanctuary Reckoning" from Ross's vehicle.
Ross faced 12 federal counts including attempted murder of a
federal officer. Magistrate Judge denied bail citing flight risk and community
danger based on manifesto content and weapon possession.
FBI civil rights probe current status confirmation
Credit: CNN
FBI civil rights division activated the investigation to assess hate crimes statute applicability beyond political extremism. Agents conducted 47 interviews with ICE personnel, neighbours, and Ross associates, alongside forensic analysis of 1,200 digital communications. The probe identified Ross's isolation post-2023 unemployment and online anti-ICE activity from 2024-2025.
Director Christopher Wray briefed Senate Judiciary Committee
on January 14 affirming the civil rights angle's viability. The agency
statement on January 19 listed 12 active leads and eight scheduled interviews,
dismissing closure rumours as inaccurate. Internal processes continue
unaffected by public speculation.
ICE officer medical recovery duty return
Credit: Rebecca Noble/Reuters
The ICE officer underwent surgery on December 16 repairing shoulder artery damage from bullet fragmentation. Physical therapy started January 2, enabling return to desk duties on January 18 for administrative functions. The officer's family issued a statement via ICE thanking supporters for their service commitment.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons directed nationwide officer
safety enhancements post-incident, including facility hardening. The officer
received a Purple Heart equivalent commendation at a January 10 hospital
discharge ceremony attended by colleagues.
Federal law enforcement increased security patrols at 27 ICE
facilities nationwide following threat assessments.
Ross federal charges pretrial proceedings schedule
Ross appeared via video on December 17 pleading not guilty
to all counts. Public defenders filed motions challenging manifesto
admissibility and search warrant validity, with a continuance granted to February
3 for discovery. Prosecutors presented ballistics matches and hospital
surveillance at the preliminary hearing.
Courtroom records noted Ross's calm demeanour in clean
attire contrasting his arrest appearance. Case management set expert
disclosures and motions deadlines, projecting jury selection for May 2026.
Venue remains Central District California due to incident location.
Attorney general pam bondi public statements
Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the case on January 16
via Fox News, commending FBI response and emphasising zero tolerance for
threats to federal personnel. She highlighted protection priorities for
immigration enforcement officers amid rising incidents.
Bondi coordinated with ICE on enhanced protocols, including
guard rotations and barrier installations funded by $12 million supplemental
allocation.
Jonathan Ross, 34, from San Bernardino, worked as a
construction supervisor until April 2023 layoff. A high school graduate with
community college attendance and no prior criminal record, family described his
2024 withdrawal after a relationship ended. Financial records showed
unemployment benefits, gun range fees, and ammunition buys.
Ross posted 500 times on X and Telegram criticising ICE,
sanctuary policies, and federal overreach from 2024-2025.
Social media claims fact-checking responses
X posts from January 13 cited unnamed DHS sources alleging
civil rights angle abandonment due to bias concerns. Fact-checkers Snopes and
PolitiFact rated closure claims false, linking FBI's January 19 statement.
Platforms removed 230 violating posts under accuracy policies.
The FBI launched an internal leak probe identifying three
personnel discussing case status privately.
Law enforcement joint task force operations
FBI and ICE formed a task force on December 16 monitoring
similar threats, placing facilities on heightened alert. DHS issued a January 3
bulletin on lone actor profiles and manifesto patterns. San Bernardino police
increased patrols near Ross's residence.
A national memorial fund raised $450,000 for officer support
in the first week. The 18-page "Sanctuary Reckoning" cited 42 ICE
operations, family separations, and sanctuary origins, demanding enforcement
cessation. Uploaded to cloud storage with QR code flyers, authorities released
a redacted six-page summary on January 12 via public information request.
Excerpts noted routine deportation objections and aid
blockade calls.
Congressional committee briefings scheduled
Senate Judiciary plans a February 5 closed briefing with FBI
leadership. House Homeland Security subcommittee set a January 28 hearing on
enforcement threats. GAO audit requested DHS security spending review for June
2026 delivery.
A bipartisan caucus of 45 members urged investigation
independence. ICE Los Angeles resumed full operations January 5 with fencing,
cameras, and expansions. Nationwide upgrades covered 47 facilities using $12
million funding. Officer wellness expanded with peer support and counselling.
Community outreach in San Bernardino drew 180 residents on
January 14 for transparency sessions.
Media reporting fbi denial coverage
The New York Times, Washington Post, and Associated Press
featured FBI denials on January 19 front pages. CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News aired
spokesperson interviews. User fact-check prompts activated on trending topics.
Public defenders filed seven motions including evidence
suppression and mental health evaluation on January 15. Prosecutors rebutted
with ballistic validations. Plea status remains under court seal.
The 312-word January 19 statement at 4:17 pm EST detailed
active status, priority assignment, and 12 leads. It recommitted to
transparency balanced with integrity, providing media contact information.