ICE Agent Charged with Assault for Shooting Venezuelan Immigrant in Minneapolis
Minnesota prosecutors charged ICE agent Christian J. Castro with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime for the January 14 shooting of Venezuelan immigrant Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis. Castro initially claimed self-defense, but surveillance footage contradicted his account, leading the Justice Department to drop charges against the victims. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty issued a nationwide warrant for Castro’s arrest, citing lack of federal cooperation. The case highlights tensions between federal and local law enforcement and potential immunity claims.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
ICE Agent Christian Castro Arrested in Texas for Nonfatal Minneapolis Shooting
State law enforcement officers arrested federal immigration agent Christian Castro in Texas on Friday, in connection with a nonfatal shooting that occurred in Minneapolis earlier this year. The arrest was carried out by agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General and the Texas Rangers, after Castro was located by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding federal law enforcement actions and accountability. Further details about the shooting and charges are expected to emerge as the case proceeds.
Just In NewsICE Agent Christian Castro Arrested in Texas for Shooting Venezuelan Man in Minnesota
On May 29, 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Christian Castro, 52, was arrested in Texas by Texas Rangers and DHS Office of the Inspector General agents. Castro is charged with the shooting of Venezuelan immigrant Julio Sosa-Celis in Minnesota earlier in 2026 and is accused of lying under oath about the incident. The arrest came more than a week after prosecutors issued a nationwide warrant. The story is developing and Forbes is expected to provide updates.
Forbes - BusinessMinnesota Charges ICE Agent for Shooting Venezuelan Immigrant and Falsifying Report
State prosecutors in Minnesota have filed criminal charges against ICE officer Christian Castro for allegedly shooting Venezuelan immigrant Julio Sosa-Celis through a door in north Minneapolis in January, then falsely reporting the incident. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime. Federal authorities have refused to cooperate with this investigation, as well as separate probes into the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Emilia González Avalos, executive director of social justice organization Unidos MN, praised the charges as a victory for democracy, separation of powers, and accountability for wrongdoing.
Democracy Now!ICE agent faces assault charges in Minneapolis case raising questions about federal-local law enforcement coordination
Minnesota prosecutors charged Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian J. Castro, 52, with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime for the January 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis. Castro initially claimed Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Aljorna, both Venezuelan immigrants legally in the U.S., attacked him with a broom and snow shovel before he fired. However, surveillance footage contradicted his account, leading the Justice Department to drop charges against the two men. The ICE acting director said the agents appeared to have made false statements. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced a nationwide warrant for Castro's arrest, noting the federal government did not cooperate in the investigation. The case raises questions about federal-local law enforcement coordination and potential immunity claims under the Supremacy Clause.
Government Executive - All ContentICE Agent Faces Assault Charges in Minneapolis Shooting, Raising Questions About Federal-Local Coordination
Minnesota prosecutors charged Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian J. Castro, 52, with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime for the January 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis. Castro allegedly shot Sosa-Celis through a front door after a car chase, then claimed the victim and another man attacked him with a broom and snow shovel. Surveillance footage contradicted Castro's account, leading the Justice Department to drop charges against the victims. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced a nationwide warrant for Castro's arrest, noting lack of federal cooperation. The case raises questions about federal-local law enforcement coordination and potential immunity claims under the Supremacy Clause. The shooting was one of three injurious incidents during a federal immigration surge in Minneapolis this winter.
Government Executive - All ContentICE Agent Faces Assault Charges in Minneapolis Shooting, Raising Federal-Local Coordination Questions
Minnesota prosecutors charged Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian J. Castro, 52, with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime for the January 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis. Castro allegedly shot Sosa-Celis through a front door after a car chase, then claimed the victim and another man attacked him with a broom and snow shovel. Surveillance footage contradicted Castro's account, leading the Justice Department to drop charges against the victims. The case has raised questions about federal-local law enforcement coordination, as state prosecutors say they received no cooperation from federal authorities. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty issued a nationwide warrant for Castro's arrest, noting the defense may attempt to move the case to federal court and claim immunity under the Supremacy Clause. The shooting was one of three injurious incidents during a federal immigration surge in Minneapolis this winter.
Government Executive - All ContentICE agent faces assault charges in Minneapolis case raising questions about federal-local law enforcement coordination
Minnesota prosecutors charged Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian J. Castro, 52, with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime for the January 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis. Castro initially claimed Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Aljorna attacked him with a broom and snow shovel before he fired, but surveillance footage contradicted his account. The Justice Department dropped federal charges against the two Venezuelan immigrants after reviewing the video. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced a nationwide warrant for Castro's arrest, noting lack of cooperation from federal authorities. The case raises questions about federal-local law enforcement coordination and potential immunity claims under the Supremacy Clause. The shooting was one of three injurious incidents during a federal immigration surge in Minneapolis this winter.
Government Executive - All Content