BCA Investigating Minneapolis Use-of-Force Incident Involving Federal Officer; Limited Cooperation Raises Transparency Concerns
Published: January 23, 2026.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has been requested by the Minneapolis Police Department to investigate a January 14, 2026, use-of-force incident involving a federal law enforcement officer in north Minneapolis.
According to the BCA, the incident occurred just before 7 p.m. on the 600 block of 24th Avenue North after federal officers were pursuing a vehicle that crashed into a snowbank. The adult male driver then fled on foot toward a nearby residence. A federal officer caught up to him in front of the home, where an altercation occurred. A second adult male from the residence also became involved.
Based on the BCA’s preliminary investigative information, a broom may have been involved during the confrontation. At some point during the encounter, the federal officer fired his handgun, striking one of the males.
Man Shot, Federal Officer Injured
Minneapolis police officers and Hennepin County medics responded to the scene. The man who was shot was identified as Julio Sosa-Celis, 24, who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The federal officer involved in the shooting was also injured and transported to a hospital. A second male involved in the altercation was taken into custody by federal officers at the scene.
Crime Scene Processing and Evidence Recovery
BCA crime scene personnel and agents with the Force Investigations Unit responded the night of the incident. However, officials say they were unable to complete full-scene processing due to safety concerns about a crowd that had formed nearby. Before leaving the scene, investigators recovered a plastic shovel and documented the area.
Following additional investigative review, the BCA executed a search warrant on Jan. 21. During that follow-up search, agents recovered a broom, a shell casing, and a bullet.
The BCA has stated that investigators have not been permitted to interview the federal officer involved, have not been provided the officer’s identity, and have not received confirmation on whether the officer was wearing a body-worn camera. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which conducted its own investigation at the scene, has informed the BCA that it does not intend to share the results of its initial inquiry.
DHS, ICE Release Allegations About Arrest Operation
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), officers were conducting a targeted traffic stop at approximately 6:50 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2026, for Julio Sosa-Celis. ICE alleges that Sosa-Celis attempted to evade arrest by fleeing in his vehicle, crashing, and then running on foot.
ICE further alleges that when the pursuing officer attempted to apprehend Sosa-Celis, a physical struggle occurred, during which two additional adult males exited a nearby apartment and attacked the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle. Federal officials allege the officer was struck multiple times and that Sosa-Celis also joined in the assault after breaking free.
ICE states the officer fired a single defensive shot while being assaulted by three individuals. All three men allegedly fled into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside before being arrested by federal authorities.
Federal officials say all three individuals remain in ICE custody. The allegations outlined by DHS and ICE have not yet been independently verified through the BCA investigation.
Individuals Identified by ICE
ICE identified the three men arrested as:
Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national with prior arrests and convictions, who ICE says entered the U.S. in August 2022
Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna, a Venezuelan national who ICE says entered the U.S. in May 2023 and later received a final order of removal
Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma, a Venezuelan national who ICE says entered the U.S. in May 2023 and was previously designated a non-enforcement priority
Public Asked to Provide Video and Witness Information
Due to these limitations, the BCA is asking members of the public who may have recorded video or witnessed the incident to submit any information that could assist investigators.
Tips and video submissions can be sent to: bca.tips@state.mn.us.
Case Will Be Forwarded to County Prosecutors
The BCA emphasized that its investigation will continue “to the fullest extent possible” under Minnesota law. Once the investigation is complete, findings will be presented without recommendation to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for prosecutorial review.
Officials did not provide a timeline for completion of the investigation.
Broader Context
The incident comes amid heightened public scrutiny of federal law enforcement activity and use-of-force encounters nationwide, and a week after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal agent. The lack of access to officer statements and body-camera data has raised transparency concerns, especially because federal agencies are not subject to the same disclosure requirements as state and local law enforcement under Minnesota law.
As the investigation moves forward, officials say cooperation and public assistance will be critical in fully reconstructing the events that led to the shooting.
Cover Photo provided by the Minnesota BCA/X.
Mugshots provided by the DHS.
