Full Breakdown
Federal Evidence Sharing Advances in Minnesota’s ICE-Agent Shooting Cases
7/13/2026, 10:53:31 PM
Background & Context
In January 2026, three separate shootings occurred in Minneapolis during the Department of Homeland Security’s “Operation Metro Surge.” ICE officer Jonathan Ross shot 37-year-old mother Renee Good on Jan. 7 as she left an anti-immigration protest. A day later, on Jan. 14, ICE officer Christian Castro wounded Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis. Two weeks later, on Jan. 24, two unidentified U.S. Border Patrol and Protection officers killed Alex Pretti, another citizen observer. The incidents sparked nationwide calls for accountability and for the federal government to cooperate with state investigators.
Timeline of Key Events
- Jan. 7, 2026 – Renee Good killed while driving away from ICE officer Jonathan Ross.
- Jan. 14, 2026 – Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot by ICE officer Christian Castro.
- Jan. 24, 2026 – Alex Pretti killed by two Border Patrol officers.
- Late Jan. 2026 – Federal judge orders the Department of Homeland Security and the DOJ to preserve all evidence.
- Mar. 2026 – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension sue to compel evidence disclosure.
- July 13, 2026 – Federal investigators begin sharing hard drives, body-camera footage, and Good’s SUV with state authorities.
Evidence Transfer Details
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota delivered hard drives containing statements and body-worn-camera video, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension took custody of Good’s SUV for forensic analysis. The exchange is reciprocal: the BCA has also provided its case files to the federal prosecutors. Prosecutors note that the volume of discovery is “voluminous,” and no deadline has been set for a charging decision.
Official Statements & Responses
Attorney Moriarty emphasized that her office has not prejudged any incident and reiterated the need for transparency, cooperation, and public trust. Attorney General Ellison described the evidence sharing as a “positive development” while stressing his commitment to a thorough, independent investigation. Both officials indicated that the review will continue until all facts are known, regardless of the outcome.
Criticism of Federal Delay
Ellison sharply criticized the federal government for withholding evidence for more than six months, calling the delay “unacceptable” and urging a “major course correction.” He argued that the prolonged concealment impeded the state’s ability to build complete case files and undermined community confidence.
Impact and Significance
The new cooperation marks a departure from the “break from longstanding norms” in which federal agencies previously declined to share evidence with state and local investigators. Transparent access to digital and physical evidence could shape charging decisions, influence public perception of immigration-enforcement tactics, and set a precedent for future federal-state collaborations in high-profile law-enforcement investigations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It should never have taken this long for Minnesota law enforcement to gain access to the federal government’s evidence surrounding the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis,” — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
- “deeply troubled that the federal government spent more than half a year attempting to conceal this evidence from state investigators.” — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
- “We need transparency. We need cooperation. Our community needs it. Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s family deserve it. Julio Sosa-Celis deserves it. Our democracy requires it.” — Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney
- “We did get the hard drives from our federal partners that includes statements, body-worn cameras we got and the BCA currently has Renee Good's car that is being analyzed,” — Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney
- “As I’ve said many times over the last six months, our office has not prejudged any of these incidents,” — Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No charges have been filed against ICE officer Jonathan Ross in Good’s death, and the investigation into the two Border Patrol officers who killed Pretti remains ongoing. The timing of any prosecutorial decisions remains uncertain pending the review of the newly received evidence.
