Federal authorities have initiated an investigation into two immigration officers following allegations of untruthful testimonies regarding a shooting that took place in Minneapolis last month. This inquiry is part of a broader scrutiny surrounding at least five incidents in which initial accounts provided by immigration officials were subsequently contradicted by video evidence, raising serious questions about the accuracy and integrity of their reports.
The announcement of the investigation coincided with the dismissal of felony assault charges against two Venezuelan men, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis and another unidentified individual, who were accused of assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, fired a shot that struck Sosa-Celis in the thigh during the altercation on January 14, 2026. Prosecutors reversed their position, stating that new video evidence contradicted earlier claims made in court.
A closer look at the five specific shootings reveals a pattern of discrepancies between official narratives and subsequent evidence. The shooting incident involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis occurred on January 14, 2026, in Minneapolis. Initially, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem portrayed the incident as an "ambush," claiming the immigration officer fired a "defensive shot" out of fear for his life. However, further investigation revealed significant discrepancies between the officer's testimony and accounts from eyewitnesses, casting doubt on the claim that the officer was attacked with a broom and a snow shovel.
Another tragic incident, the fatal shooting of Renee Good, took place in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. Federal officials initially characterized this incident as an "act of domestic terrorism," asserting that Good attempted to run over ICE officers, prompting a defensive shot that resulted in her death. However, multiple video angles contradicted this narrative, showing Good parked in her vehicle and engaging with an officer moments before the shooting, raising questions about whether she posed any immediate threat.
On January 24, 2026, the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti also garnered attention. Federal officials initially claimed that Pretti approached Border Patrol officers with a handgun and violently resisted them. However, video evidence later emerged showing that Pretti was actually holding a mobile phone at the time of the shooting, contradicting the earlier official statements that suggested he was a direct threat to law enforcement.
The investigation has also revisited the case of Silverio Villegas González, who was fatally shot on September 12, 2025, in suburban Chicago. Government officials claimed that Villegas González posed a threat while driving recklessly and injured an officer during a pursuit. However, body camera footage later contradicted these assertions, indicating that the officer downplayed his injuries and that the shooting occurred at close range, which led to an autopsy ruling the death as a homicide.
Lastly, the non-fatal shooting of Marimar Martinez on October 14, 2025, in Chicago is under scrutiny. Initially termed a case involving "domestic terrorists," further investigation revealed discrepancies in the account of the shooting, including video footage showing the agent potentially instigating the crash that led to the officer opening fire.
These controversies have prompted public officials and legal authorities to reassess the conduct and statements of immigration officials during these high-stakes confrontations. As video evidence continues to emerge, the authenticity of prior claims made by federal agents is being rigorously questioned, revealing a troubling pattern of misrepresentation that could have severe implications for accountability and public trust in law enforcement practices.
