ICE agent Christian Castro arrested in Texas for Minneapolis shooting and lying about it

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Christian Castro faces charges in Texas for a shooting incident in Minneapolis and for allegedly lying to investigators. Castro, 52, is the second federal agent to be charged in connection with "Operation Metro Surge" in Minnesota.

The incident occurred on January 14 when Castro, attempting to arrest Venezuelan migrant Alfredo Aljorna after a car chase, fired a bullet into Aljorna's Minneapolis home. The shot wounded Aljorna's roommate, Julio C Sosa-Celis, in the leg. Both Aljorna and Sosa-Celis are Venezuelan nationals residing legally in the U.S.

Following the shooting, Castro reportedly misled investigators, claiming he fired in self-defense while being attacked with a shovel and broom. This account led to charges against Aljorna and Sosa-Celis, but subsequent surveillance footage reportedly disproved Castro's claims. The charges against the two Venezuelan men were subsequently dropped.

Castro was placed on leave in February, and ICE's interim director stated he was under investigation for allegedly lying under oath. However, ICE officials have criticized the state charges against Castro, calling the arrest a "political stunt" and asserting that the matter should be handled at the federal level. Castro may be extradited to Minnesota to face arraignment if he waives his right to an extradition hearing in Texas.

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This is a federal issue, and it must be handled at the federal level.