An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent charged in connection with a January shooting in Minneapolis was arrested Friday in Texas, marking the latest development in a case that has drawn national attention and raised questions about the conduct of federal officers during a law enforcement operation.
According to a press release from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, 52-year-old Christian Castro was taken into custody by agents from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the Texas Rangers. Investigators from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were also present during the arrest.
Castro had been charged earlier this month with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Jan. 14 during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.
Prosecutors allege that Castro fired his weapon through the front door of a Minneapolis residence after observing several individuals enter the home. According to previously announced charging documents from Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, the bullet struck Julio Sosa-Celis in the leg before continuing into the wall of a child’s bedroom.
The allegations have become the focus of an ongoing criminal case, with prosecutors arguing that the shooting occurred under circumstances that differed significantly from the account initially provided by federal officials following the incident.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, authorities alleged that Sosa-Celis and another individual had attacked Castro using a snow shovel and a broom handle. According to those early accounts, Castro was forced to fire a defensive shot after being assaulted.
However, prosecutors now contend that the evidence tells a different story.
According to the charges, Castro was never struck by either object and was not attacked with any weapon prior to firing his gun. Instead, prosecutors allege that he discharged his firearm through the home’s front door while standing alone outside the residence.
The case gained broader national attention after ICE Director Todd Lyons acknowledged that two federal agents involved in the incident had provided what he described as “untruthful” accounts regarding what had occurred.
In Friday’s announcement regarding Castro’s arrest, officials identified him as one of the agents referenced in those statements.
The developments have intensified scrutiny surrounding the events of Jan. 14 and the accuracy of information released in the aftermath of the shooting. While the criminal case remains ongoing, prosecutors have pointed to the alleged discrepancies between the initial reports and the findings of investigators as a central aspect of the matter.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty praised the work of investigators following Castro’s arrest and emphasized the importance of accountability as the prosecution moves forward.
“Today’s arrest is a critical step forward in our prosecution of Mr. Castro,” Moriarty said in a statement released Friday.
She also credited the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for its role in the investigation, describing the agency’s work as instrumental to the case.
Moriarty added that authorities remain focused on pursuing accountability on behalf of Sosa-Celis, his family, and the broader community.
The arrest represents a significant milestone in a case that has drawn attention well beyond Minnesota, as questions surrounding law enforcement conduct, use of force, and the accuracy of official reporting continue to be examined through the judicial process. As the case proceeds, the facts surrounding the Jan. 14 shooting will ultimately be tested in court.
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