Video Contradicts ICE Agents' Claims of Attempted Murder

Footage shows a different account of the incident involving a Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:25pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent bullet casing on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the stark, gritty details of a law enforcement incident.A damning video contradicts ICE agents' claims, exposing potential abuse of power and disregard for due process.Minneapolis Today

A new video obtained by the New York Times contradicts claims made by the Trump administration that a Venezuelan immigrant, Julio C. Sosa-Celis, had attempted to murder an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The video footage from a city-owned camera refutes the ICE agents' account that Sosa-Celis had beaten them with a shovel and broom for three minutes. The report also reveals that the Trump administration had access to the video footage within hours of the shooting but prosecutors did not watch it until nearly three weeks after filing charges against Sosa-Celis.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the transparency and accountability of ICE, as well as the Trump administration's willingness to make unsubstantiated claims against immigrants. The revelation that the administration had access to video evidence that contradicted their narrative raises questions about potential abuse of power and the due process rights of undocumented individuals.

The details

In January, Sosa-Celis was shot in the leg by an ICE agent who accused him of attacking them with a shovel and broom. Before she was fired, former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, known as 'ICE Barbie,' claimed that Sosa-Celis was 'trying to kill the agent.' However, the video footage viewed by the New York Times contradicts this account, showing no evidence of Sosa-Celis attacking the agents. The report also states that the Trump administration obtained the video footage within hours of the shooting, but prosecutors did not watch it until nearly three weeks after filing charges against Sosa-Celis.

  • The incident occurred in January 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • The Trump administration obtained the video footage within hours of the shooting.
  • Prosecutors did not watch the video footage until nearly three weeks after filing charges against Sosa-Celis.

The players

Julio C. Sosa-Celis

A Venezuelan immigrant who was shot in the leg by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.

Kristi Noem

The former South Dakota governor, known as 'ICE Barbie,' who claimed that Sosa-Celis was 'trying to kill the agent.'

Todd Lyons

The acting director of ICE, who said that two agents had appeared to have lied under oath about the events and could face criminal charges.

Jacob Frey

The mayor of Minneapolis, who stated that 'bare due diligence would have shown that the agents were lying.'

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What they’re saying

“'The agency's acting director, Todd Lyons, said after the charges were dropped that two agents had appeared to have lied under oath about the events, adding that they had been placed on leave and could end up facing criminal charges.'”

— Todd Lyons, Acting Director of ICE

“'Bare due diligence would have shown that the agents were lying,' said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in a recent interview, the Times reported.”

— Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis

What’s next

The two ICE agents involved in the incident could face criminal charges for their alleged lies under oath.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the transparency and accountability of ICE, as well as the Trump administration's willingness to make unsubstantiated claims against immigrants. It raises questions about potential abuse of power and the due process rights of undocumented individuals.