Video Contradicts ICE Account of Minneapolis Shooting

Newly obtained footage raises questions about why charges were filed against two Venezuelan immigrants before officials reviewed the evidence.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:03am

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Newly obtained video footage contradicts the federal government's initial account of a shooting incident involving an ICE agent and two Venezuelan immigrants in Minneapolis this past January. The video shows a much shorter confrontation than what was initially described, and raises questions about why prosecutors filed charges against the two men before reviewing the footage, which the police chief says would have shown the agents were 'lying'.

Why it matters

The shooting was part of a broader crackdown on immigration in Minnesota by the Trump administration, which deployed thousands of agents to the state. The incident highlights concerns about the use of force by federal agents and the government's willingness to present a misleading narrative before all the facts are known.

The details

The video shows a confrontation lasting about 12 seconds between an ICE agent and two Venezuelan immigrants, Julio C. Sosa-Celis and Alfredo A. Aljorna, outside their Minneapolis duplex. It contradicts the agent's claim that he was beaten with a shovel and broom for several minutes before firing his weapon, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg. The footage shows no sustained attack, and a shovel was tossed aside before the struggle began. Prosecutors filed charges against the two men before reviewing the video, which the police chief says would have shown the agents were 'lying'.

  • On January 14, 2026, two ICE agents encountered Aljorna driving a car with a mismatched license plate.
  • Aljorna fled on foot towards his duplex, where Sosa-Celis was standing outside.
  • A struggle ensued between Aljorna, Sosa-Celis, and the ICE agent, lasting about 12 seconds.
  • The agent fired a single shot, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg.
  • Prosecutors filed charges against Aljorna and Sosa-Celis just two days after the incident.

The players

Julio C. Sosa-Celis

A 25-year-old Venezuelan immigrant who was shot in the leg by an ICE agent outside his Minneapolis duplex.

Alfredo A. Aljorna

A 26-year-old Venezuelan immigrant who fled on foot towards his duplex, leading to the confrontation with the ICE agent.

ICE Agent

The federal immigration agent who shot Sosa-Celis, whose name has not been released.

Jacob Frey

The mayor of Minneapolis, who said the video footage shows the agents were 'lying' about the incident.

Todd Lyons

The acting director of ICE, who acknowledged that the two agents appeared to have lied under oath about the events.

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What they’re saying

“Bare due diligence would have shown that the agents were lying.”

— Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis

“They appeared to have lied under oath about the events, and they have been placed on leave and could end up facing criminal charges.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting Director of ICE

What’s next

State investigators are examining whether the ICE agent acted lawfully when he opened fire, but have faced limited federal cooperation. No charges have been filed against the agents involved.

The takeaway

This incident highlights concerns about the use of force by federal immigration agents and the government's willingness to present a misleading narrative before all the facts are known. It also raises questions about the transparency and accountability of federal law enforcement operations in local communities.