Full Breakdown
ICE Agent Charged in Minnesota Shooting Amid Disputed Federal Narrative
5/21/2026, 9:56:45 AM
Incident Overview
On January 14, 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer Christian J. Castro, 52, fired his service weapon through the front door of a north-Minneapolis duplex while a group of occupants—including children—were inside. The bullet struck Julio Sosa-Celis, 24, in the leg and lodged in a bedroom wall. Video, surveillance footage, and witness statements later contradicted the federal agency’s initial account of the event.
Legal Charges and Proceedings
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty filed a criminal complaint charging Castro with four counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of falsely reporting a crime. A nationwide arrest warrant was issued, and bail was set at $200,000. Prosecutors indicated the state will pursue the case even if federal authorities attempt to move it to federal court, with support from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Disputed DHS Account
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement claiming that three Venezuelan immigrants attacked the officer with a shovel and broom, prompting the shooting. County prosecutors found no evidence of any shovels, brooms, or other weapons and determined that Castro fired “knowing there were people who had just run inside that presented absolutely no threat.” Video released in February and April showed one man dropping a shovel and another running unarmed, contradicting the DHS narrative.
Official Statements & Responses
- Mary Moriarty: “A violent crime did occur that night, but it was Mr. Castro who committed it. He shot through the door of a home with many people, including children, while fortunately missing several others.”
- Keith Ellison: “Nobody is above the law, including ICE agents.”
- Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director: “Lying under oath is a serious federal offense.”
- ICE spokesperson (email to USA TODAY): The charges are “a political stunt” and officers may face disciplinary action, termination, or criminal prosecution after the U.S. Attorney’s investigation.
Criticism & Opposition
Community activist Michelle Gross, executive director of Communities United Against Police Brutality, said, “We can’t allow any law-enforcement to lie about their conduct and engage in this excessive force.” She praised the prosecution and urged similar accountability for other recent Minnesota shootings involving federal officers.
On-the-Ground Reports
Surveillance video captured Castro tackling a DoorDash driver after the driver fled toward his home. After the shot, ICE agents deployed tear gas, breached the residence, and detained four adults and two children. Witnesses reported that no one attempted to strike the officer.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The DHS press release and the county’s criminal complaint present mutually exclusive accounts of the incident. Federal authorities have not commented on the charges, and the Department of Justice has declined to pursue charges in related Minnesota shootings, leaving a gap in federal accountability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A violent crime did occur that night, but it was Mr. Castro who committed it. He shot through the door of a home with many people, including children, inside, while fortunately missing several others,” — Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney
- “Mr. Castro fired his service weapon at the front door of the home, knowing there were people who had just run inside that presented absolutely no threat to him or anyone else,” — Mary Moriarty
- “Lying under oath is a serious federal offense.” — Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director
- “We can’t allow for any kind of law enforcement to lie about their conduct and engage in this excessive force,” — Michelle Gross, Communities United Against Police Brutality
- “Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed support for the charges, saying, “Nobody is above the law, including ICE agents.” — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
- “The law enforcement officer pursued Sosa-Celis also on foot, caught up to him, and attempted to apprehend him when Sosa-Celis began to resist and violently assault the officer,” — DHS press release
What’s Next
The case is expected to proceed in state court unless removed to federal jurisdiction. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues its investigation into the alleged false statements by ICE officers, and additional accountability measures for other Minnesota incidents involving federal agents remain under public scrutiny.
