ICE Agent Christian Castro Arrested in Texas Over Minneapolis Shooting Charges

ICE agent Christian Castro was arrested in Texas on charges related to a Minneapolis shooting.

Christian Castro, 52, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, shot Venezuelan immigrant Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis through a Minneapolis front door during an immigration operation called Metro Surge on January 14, 2026. Initially, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed Sosa-Celis and his cousin attacked Castro with a snow shovel and broom, justifying the shooting.

However, in April 2026, video footage surfaced that called these claims into question. The recording shows no clear attack on Castro when he discharged his weapon, raising significant doubts about the official DHS account. These findings contributed to Hennepin County prosecutors filing four counts of second-degree assault — which refers to intentionally causing physical harm — and one count of falsely reporting a crime against Castro on May 18, 2026. The false reporting charge relates to allegations that Castro misled his supervisors about the incident.

Castro was apprehended on May 29, 2026, in Texas. The operation involved Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Texas Rangers, with involvement from Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) agents; however, DHS OIG publicly denied being responsible for planning or executing the arrest. This arrest reflects growing legal scrutiny on law enforcement conduct during federal immigration enforcement actions.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty described the arrest as a "critical step forward" toward accountability. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison highlighted evidence indicating Castro may have unlawfully fabricated details when reporting the incident to his superiors. Meanwhile, ICE has labeled the charges against Castro as politically motivated, underscoring ongoing tensions and debates about law enforcement accountability in immigration contexts.

The case forms part of a broader investigation into Operation Metro Surge, which has involved several controversial law enforcement encounters in Minneapolis, including other fatal shootings and an earlier assault charge against another ICE agent, Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., filed in April 2026. These incidents collectively contribute to wider discussions on oversight of federal immigration enforcement and disciplinary processes within agencies.

Legal observers and in-house counsel should monitor how these developments affect federal agency compliance and the precedent they may set for future enforcement operations.

Yes, but: The DHS Office of Inspector General denies involvement in planning Castro's arrest, highlighting complicating jurisdictional dynamics among federal agencies.

What's next: Prosecutors are expected to proceed with pre-trial hearings in Minnesota, with legal outcomes potentially influencing federal law enforcement oversight practices.