Minneapolis Security Footage Contradicts Federal Account of ICE Shooting Incident
A security video released by the city of Minneapolis on Monday has severely undermined the initial account provided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding a shooting involving an agency officer and two Venezuelan men in January 2026. The footage, captured by a city-owned camera, depicts a confrontation lasting approximately 12 seconds, starkly contrasting with the ICE officer's claim of a three-minute struggle before firing a shot.
Federal Charges Dropped Amidst Evidence Discrepancies
Federal authorities dropped all charges against the two immigrants, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, in February after the video raised serious questions about the officers' testimony. A criminal investigation has been launched to determine whether the officers lied under oath about the events of 14 January. The video, which federal investigators had access to within hours of the shooting but did not review for nearly three weeks, shows federal officers chasing one man to his residence, where Sosa-Celis was shot in the thigh during the altercation.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated, "The video makes it crystal clear that, just like in other situations during Operation Metro Surge, the federal government's account of what happened simply does not match the facts." This operation, part of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minnesota, has been under scrutiny, with two federal officers involved in the shooting suspended pending an internal investigation.
Video Details and Broader Context of Federal Shootings
The grainy, distant footage, shot in the dark, appears to show a person with a snow shovel outside a house, retreating and tossing the shovel as another person is chased, falls, and continues toward the house. A brief scuffle ensues near the front steps, though the exact moment of the shooting is unclear. The camera's active panning suggests it may have been manually controlled in real time.
This incident is part of a series of federal shootings in Minneapolis, including the fatal killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in early January, where video also contradicted initial federal statements. Unlike the Aljorna and Sosa-Celis case, no action has been indicated against the agents involved in those deaths. Minnesota prosecutors sued the Trump administration in late March for access to evidence to independently investigate all three shootings.
Legal and Agency Responses to the Unfolding Scandal
U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen filed a highly unusual motion to dismiss the charges with prejudice, citing "newly discovered evidence" that was "materially inconsistent" with the criminal complaint. ICE, in a statement, reaffirmed that two officers appeared to have given untruthful testimony under oath, noting that lying under oath is a serious federal offense that could lead to termination and criminal prosecution. The officers' names have not been made public, and they are on administrative leave.
Attorneys for Aljorna and Sosa-Celis declined to comment due to ongoing investigations. Both men are free while seeking legal status, having been released under court order after brief re-detention by ICE for alleged immigration violations. The Hennepin County attorney's office has declined to comment on the video, citing the active investigation.
The release of this video follows reporting by the New York Times and highlights ongoing tensions between local and federal authorities over transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement operations.
