Second ICE-involved shooting rocks Minneapolis
Fox News correspondent Matt Finn and “The Wounded Blue” founder Lt. Randy Sutton recently joined “The Faulkner Focus” to discuss the fallout from another ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis. The conversation centered around the ensuing protests and the differing reactions from local and federal authorities.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer is currently in critical condition following an alleged attack by three undocumented immigrants in Minneapolis. The incident reportedly occurred during a routine traffic stop, which escalated into a foot chase and violent confrontation, involving a shovel and broom handle, ultimately leading to gunfire, according to officials.
Federal officials have stated that the incident unfolded on Wednesday evening when agents attempted to conduct a targeted traffic stop. The focus was on a Venezuelan immigrant who had been released into the U.S. under the administration of former President Joe Biden.
The situation became volatile as the individuals attempted to flee, resulting in one suspect being shot and all three being apprehended.
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the suspects as Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna, and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma. All three are Venezuelan nationals and are currently held in ICE custody.
Reports indicate that the ICE agents were attacked with a shovel during the enforcement operation, leading to the arrest of the three men involved in the incident. (Credit: DHS and Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
DHS said federal officers were attempting to arrest Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis when he fled the scene in his vehicle, crashed into a parked car and ran on foot.
The pursuing officer caught up with Sosa-Celis and tried to take him into custody, at which point he began to resist and violently assault the officer.
As the two struggled on the ground, two individuals emerged from a nearby apartment and began striking the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle, DHS said. Sosa-Celis broke free and allegedly struck the officer as well before the agent, fearing for his life, fired a defensive shot that struck Sosa-Celis in the leg.
Federal agents deal with agitators outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Jan. 14, in Minneapolis, Minn. (Jamie Vera/Fox News)
Despite being wounded, Sosa-Celis and the other two men retreated into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside.
ICE ultimately arrested all three suspects and took them into custody. The officer and Sosa-Celis were both hospitalized following the confrontation.
“What we saw last night in Minneapolis was an attempted murder of federal law enforcement,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said. “Our officer was ambushed and attacked by three individuals who beat him with snow shovels and the handles of brooms. Fearing for his life, the officer fired a defensive shot.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem blasted local leadership, saying Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov. Tim Walz must “get their city under control.” (Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images)
Noem blasted local leadership, saying Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov. Tim Walz must “get their city under control” and accusing them of encouraging resistance against law enforcement, which she said is “putting the people of Minnesota in harm’s way.”
DHS said Sosa-Celis is a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela with prior convictions who was released by Minnesota authorities before ICE could lodge a detainer.
Ajorna and Hernandez-Ledezma also entered the U.S. illegally and, according to DHS, failed to comply with immigration proceedings.
All three remain in ICE custody as authorities review the case.
