A recent shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minnesota has prompted an internal investigation and the dismissal of criminal charges, raising new questions about the events that unfolded.
According to reporting by The Associated Press, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has opened an internal probe into two agents involved in the shooting of a Venezuelan man last month. The move follows the emergence of video evidence that appears to contradict sworn testimony provided by the officers.
ICE acting director Todd Lyons announced the investigation after reviewing the footage. He stated that “sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements” regarding the incident. Lyons emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that “lying under oath is a serious federal offense,” and confirmed that both agents have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry. The agents could face termination and potential criminal charges.
“The men and women of ICE are entrusted with upholding the rule of law and are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct,” Lyons said. “Violations of this sacred sworn oath will not be tolerated. ICE remains fully committed to transparency, accountability, and the fair enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws.”
On the same day the investigation was announced, a federal judge dismissed felony assault charges against two Venezuelan men connected to the shooting. U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel N. Rosen cited “newly discovered evidence” that he said “is materially inconsistent with the allegations” previously made against the men. The charges were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled.
The newly surfaced video evidence has not been publicly detailed in court filings. However, during a late January hearing, discrepancies reportedly emerged between the agents’ account and those of the defendants and three eyewitnesses. The agents had claimed they were assaulted with a broom and a snow shovel prior to the shooting, an assertion that was not supported by available video or witness statements.
Attorneys for the Venezuelan men acknowledged that their clients were holding a broom and shovel at the time of the incident. They said one of the men threw the broom but was running away when an agent fired his weapon. Defense attorneys also noted that both men had prior criminal records and had been working as DoorDash drivers at night to avoid detection by federal authorities.
A third Venezuelan man was arrested during the incident. His attorney argued that the arrest was intended to prevent him from serving as an additional eyewitness.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said the agents had acted in self-defense. She stated that the men had attempted to murder federal officers and accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of encouraging resistance to law enforcement.
“What we saw last night in Minneapolis was an attempted murder of federal law enforcement,” Noem said at the time. “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.”
