Archive · 16 Jan 2026
ICE Shooting in Minneapolis Involving Venezuelan Man
On January 14, in north Minneapolis, ICE officers were involved in a confrontation with three Venezuelan men during a traffic stop.
One of the men, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, fled the scene, crashed his car, and then ran away.
When the officers caught up to him, he resisted arrest, and two other men came out of an apartment and attacked the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle.
The officer then shot Sosa-Celis in the leg.
All three men were taken into ICE custody.
The officer and Sosa-Celis were taken to the hospital, and Sosa-Celis is expected to recover.
This incident is part of a larger increase in ICE activities in the area, which has led to protests and clashes between law enforcement and the community.
On January 14, ICE officers shot a Venezuelan man, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, in the leg during a traffic stop in north Minneapolis.
Sosa-Celis fled the scene, crashed into a parked car, and resisted arrest, leading to a struggle with the officer.
Two other Venezuelan nationals, Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma, allegedly attacked the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle.
All three men were taken into ICE custody, and their immigration statuses and prior convictions were disclosed by DHS.
The incident is part of a broader increase in ICE activities in Minneapolis, which has led to protests and clashes between law enforcement and the community.
- Who
- ICE officers and three Venezuelan nationals: Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna, and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma
- What
- A shooting involving ICE officers and Venezuelan nationals during a traffic stop
- When
- January 14
- Where
- North Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Why
- The incident occurred during a targeted enforcement operation by ICE.
Pro-ICE Enforcement
Immigrant Rights Advocates
Use of Force
Pro-ICE Enforcement
ICE officers acted in self-defense during a violent confrontation.
Immigrant Rights Advocates
The use of force by ICE officers is excessive and puts immigrant communities at risk.
Federal Presence
Pro-ICE Enforcement
Increased ICE presence is necessary to enforce immigration laws and maintain public safety.
Immigrant Rights Advocates
The surge of federal officers is causing unnecessary tension and racial profiling in the community.
- Date of Shooting
- January 14
- Victim
- Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national
- Location
- North Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Background of Victim
- Entered the U.S. illegally in August 2022, prior convictions for driving without a license and giving a false name to a peace officer
- Other Individuals Involved
- Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma, both Venezuelan nationals in the country illegally
- Incident Details
- Sosa-Celis fled the scene, crashed into a parked car, and resisted arrest, leading to a struggle and subsequent shooting.
- Injuries
- Sosa-Celis was shot in the leg and is expected to recover; the officer's injuries have not been fully disclosed.
- Current Status
- All three men are in ICE custody.
Sources
Another immigration-related shooting fuels chaos in Minneapolis
Donald Trump calls Minnesota ICE shooting ‘sad to see on both sides,’ avoids taking sides
Fresh unrest in Minneapolis after ICE officer shoots Venezuelan man
Another immigration shooting in Minneapolis, ICE agent shoots Venezuelan man in leg prompting protests
Minneapolis shooting: DHS identifies man shot in leg during federal enforcement operation
White House Press Secretary Lashes Out At Reporter As “Left-Wing Hack” Over ICE Question, Chides CNN Over Factual Chyron
‘Left-Wing Hack’: White House Press Secy Karoline Leavitt Tears Into Reporter Over ICE Shooting
Who Is Niall Stanage? Karoline Leavitt Spars With The Hill Columnist Over Minneapolis ICE Shooting
In Minneapolis, masked ICE agents drag ‘brain-injured’ autistic, disabled woman from her car
US citizen dragged from car by ICE in Minneapolis, video fuels outcry over crackdown - Telegraph India
Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act. Has this legislation been used before?
