ICE Agent Charged After False Claims in Minnesota Shooting

An ICE officer, Christian Castro, faces a six‑count federal indictment for lying about the circumstances of a non‑fatal shooting that wounded a Venezuelan migrant in Minnesota on January 14, 2026.

The Department of Homeland Security had initially said Castro fired in self‑defence after being attacked by three illegal migrants with a shovel and broom handle. Minnesota investigators now allege Castro shot through a closed door, striking the victim’s leg and the wall of a child’s room.

It is rare for the justice department to accuse a federal agent of wrongdoing on the job. Mystic’s chief prosecutor, Keith Ellison, welcomed the indictment but said it "does not reflect the full seriousness" of the violent crimes charged in Minnesota.

Castro was arrested in Texas in May, detained for three months, and released last week after the Texas governor declined an extradition request. Minnesota officials continue to pursue state charges, including assault and false reporting, regardless of the federal case.

The incident is part of a larger pattern of tension during Operation Metro Surge, when federal immigration officers deployed to Minnesota sparked protests and violent confrontations, including the death of two U.S. citizens. Previous investigations have shown that ICE agents can make “untruthful statements” and face administrative leave.