The Department of Homeland Security released new details Thursday identifying three criminal illegal aliens accused of violently assaulting a federal law enforcement officer during an attempted arrest in Minneapolis earlier this week, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. Central Time on January 14, when federal officers conducted a targeted traffic stop connected to immigration enforcement, according to DHS. One suspect fled the scene, triggering a foot pursuit that escalated into a violent confrontation.
DHS Identifies Three Suspects
Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement identified the primary suspect as Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, an illegal alien from Venezuela who entered the United States in August 2022.
DHS said Sosa-Celis attempted to evade arrest by fleeing in his vehicle, crashing into a parked car, and continuing on foot. When a federal officer caught up and attempted to apprehend him, Sosa-Celis allegedly resisted and became physically violent.
During the struggle, two additional individuals reportedly emerged from a nearby apartment and joined the attack, striking the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle.
As the officer was being assaulted by three individuals, Sosa-Celis broke free and also began striking the officer with one of the objects, DHS said. Fearing for his life, the officer fired a defensive shot, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg.
All three suspects then retreated into an apartment and barricaded themselves before being taken into custody.
The two additional suspects were identified as:
- Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna, an illegal alien from Venezuela, who illegally entered the United States in May 2023 and later failed to appear for his immigration hearing, resulting in a final order of removal
- Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, who illegally entered the United States in May 2023 and was designated a non-enforcement priority under the Biden administration
DHS said all three are currently in ICE custody.
Officer and Suspect Hospitalized
The injured federal officer and Sosa-Celis were transported to the hospital following the incident. DHS said both are expected to survive.
In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the attack as an attempted murder and warned of escalating violence against federal officers.
“What we saw last night in Minneapolis was an attempted murder of federal law enforcement,” Noem said. “Our officer was ambushed and attacked by three individuals who beat him with snow shovels and the handles of brooms.”
DHS Criticizes Local and Federal Policies
Noem criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing state and city leadership of refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
DHS said the attack occurred amid what it described as growing resistance to immigration enforcement efforts and cited a reported more than 1,300% increase in assaults against federal law enforcement officers nationwide.
“This is putting the people of Minnesota in harm’s way,” Noem said, calling for an end to rhetoric and actions that interfere with federal law enforcement operations.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
