Minneapolis Releases Security Video After Charges Dropped In ICE Shooting; Federal Officers Face Probe

Minneapolis city officials on Monday released security-camera footage that captures part of a Jan. 14 pursuit and brief struggle that ended in a nonfatal shooting and the suspension of two federal immigration officers.

What the Footage Shows

The clip, recorded by a city-owned camera, shows a person standing near the street with a snow shovel, retreating toward a house and discarding the shovel in the yard. Moments later, another person — being chased from the street — falls on the sidewalk, gets up and continues toward the residence. The three individuals scuffle near the front steps for roughly 10 seconds. The moment when Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis is struck isn’t clearly visible on the low-light video; a vehicle with flashing lights arrives shortly afterward.

Observers noted the camera appears to pan to the street before any emergency vehicles arrive, suggesting it may have been manually controlled in real time.

Investigations and Legal Actions

Federal prosecutors in February dismissed all criminal charges against Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis after U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen said "newly discovered evidence" was "materially inconsistent with the allegations" in the complaint and with testimony at a preliminary hearing. Rosen recommended dismissal with prejudice, which prevents refiling, saying that outcome "would serve the interests of justice."

The Justice Department has opened a separate criminal investigation into whether two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers provided false testimony under oath. ICE said the two officers were placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation continues and reiterated that lying under oath is a serious federal offense. The agency has not released the officers' names or detailed the status of the internal probe.

Context and Reaction

The city released the footage after The New York Times reported it had obtained a copy earlier and questioned why federal investigators — who reportedly had access to the tape within hours of the shooting — did not view it until nearly three weeks after the charges were filed. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the video "makes it crystal clear" that the federal account did not match the facts captured on camera.

Protesters quickly gathered after the incident and clashed with officers wearing helmets and gas masks. Local prosecutors and officials have grown frustrated by limited information sharing from federal authorities. Late last month, state and county prosecutors sued the Trump administration seeking access to evidence they say is needed to independently investigate this case and other federal shootings, including the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Status Of The Men Involved

Aljorna and Sosa-Celis remain free as they pursue immigration relief. Both were ordered released before criminal charges were dismissed; ICE briefly detained them again on alleged immigration violations before a court ordered their release a second time. Their attorneys have declined extensive comment while state and federal investigations remain active.

Note: The Hennepin County Attorney's Office declined to comment on the video, citing an active investigation. Federal prosecutors and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.