ICE agent arrested after allegedly shooting migrant through apartment door and lying about it
Por Jonathan Allen and Steve Gorman — – World RSS Feed
ICE agent arrested after allegedly shooting migrant through apartment door and lying about it
A federal immigration officer wanted on assault charges for shooting and wounding a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis was arrested
Jonathan Allen & Steve Gorman Thursday 17 September 2026 06:42 EDT
- Bookmark
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks
Close popover
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
An ICE agent accused of shooting a Venezuelan man through an apartment door and then lying about what happened has been arrested in Minneapolis, eight months after the incident became a flashpoint in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Christian Castro was taken into custody Wednesday by agents with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and booked into the Hennepin County jail on an outstanding arrest warrant.
Castro faces state assault and false reporting charges stemming from the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who was wounded in the leg while children were inside the home.
open image in galleryProsecutors allege Castro falsely told Department of Homeland Security officials that Sosa-Celis and others attacked him with a snow shovel and broom before he opened fire. Authorities say video evidence contradicted that account.
Castro has also been federally charged with lying to investigators about the shooting, making him the first federal law enforcement officer prosecuted by the Justice Department over alleged wrongdoing connected to Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s massive immigration enforcement deployment in Minneapolis.
Castro was released on bond from federal custody earlier this month after an appearance in McAllen, Texas.
His attorney Daniel Gerdts said Castro had agreed to drive from Texas to Minneapolis and surrender at his lawyer’s office Wednesday, but authorities arrested him minutes before he arrived.
open image in galleryAnother attorney, Rolando Cantu, said Castro always intended to face the Minnesota charges and disputed prosecutors’ claims that he might flee to Mexico.
“He wants his day in court,” Cantu said.
The shooting occurred during Operation Metro Surge, which sparked weeks of protests and confrontations between federal immigration officers and demonstrators. Two US citizens were fatally shot by federal agents during the operation.
After the January shooting, Castro returned to his home state of Texas, prompting Minnesota authorities to seek his extradition.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott refused to sign extradition papers sent by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, questioning whether Castro could legally be considered a fugitive because DHS had reassigned him to Texas.
Castro spent 90 days in a Texas county jail before being released Aug. 27 after a federal judge rejected Minnesota’s request to immediately compel his extradition. He was arrested again following his federal indictment in early September.
DHS has suspended Castro from ICE, and a civil rights investigation into the shooting has also been opened.
Castro was expected to make his first appearance on the Minnesota charges Thursday before appearing in federal court in St. Paul on Friday.
“Governor Abbott’s attempt to shield Mr. Castro from accountability has failed,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “We look forward to commencing our prosecution.”
More about
Donald TrumpDepartment of Homeland SecurityJustice DepartmentMinneapolisTim Walz
Most popular
Popular videos
Bulletin
Read next
Fonte: – World RSS Feed
