ICE agent arrested after allegedly shooting migrant through apartment door

An ICE agent has been arrested in Minneapolis after an incident that began in January during Operation Metro Surge. Christian Castro, who was accused of shooting Venezuelan migrant Julio Cesar Sosa‑Celis through an apartment door, was taken into custody by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and booked into Hennepin County jail on an outstanding arrest warrant.

Castro faces state assault and false‑reporting charges stemming from the shooting that left Sosa‑Celis wounded in the leg while children were inside the home. Prosecutors say he falsely told Department of Homeland Security officials that the victim and others attacked him with a snow shovel and broom before he opened fire, a claim contradicted by video evidence.

He has also been federally charged with lying to investigators, making him the first federal law‑enforcement officer prosecuted by the Justice Department over alleged misconduct linked to Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s large‑scale immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. Castro was released on bond from federal custody earlier this month after an appearance in McAllen, Texas.

After the January shooting, Castro returned to his home state of Texas, prompting Minnesota authorities to seek extradition. Texas Governor Greg Abbott refused to sign the extradition papers sent by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, arguing that Castro could not be considered a fugitive because DHS had reassigned him to Texas. Castro spent 90 days in a Texas county jail before a federal judge rejected Minnesota’s request to 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 been opened. Castro is expected to appear in Minnesota court on Thursday and in federal court in St. Paul on Friday. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said, “Governor Abbott’s attempt to shield Mr. Castro from accountability has failed. We look forward to commencing our prosecution.”