The streets of North Minneapolis aren't exactly quiet these days. Honestly, they haven't been since last week. But things took a sharper, more chaotic turn yesterday when a second shooting involving federal agents ignited a neighborhood already on edge.
If you've been following the news about the shooting yesterday, you know the basics: a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer opened fire on a 26-year-old man during what was supposed to be a targeted traffic stop. The guy, a Venezuelan national named Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, ended up with a bullet in his leg.
But as with everything in Minneapolis right now, the "official" story and the "on-the-ground" reality are currently shouting at each other.
The Chaos at 25th and Lyndale
It started around Wednesday night but the fallout dominated the news cycle all through yesterday, January 15, 2026. According to the DHS, officers were trying to arrest Sosa-Celis because he’d skipped out on immigration hearings.
They say he tried to drive away, smashed into a parked car, and then took off on foot.
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Basically, the feds claim he didn't go down easy. They allege he started fighting the officer. Then, things got even weirder. Two other men reportedly ran out of a nearby apartment building armed with—of all things—a snow shovel and a broom handle.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called it an "ambush." She says the officer fired a "defensive shot" because he was being beaten with those improvised weapons.
Why the Neighborhood is Fed Up
Talk to anyone standing near 25th and Lyndale Avenues yesterday morning, and you’d hear a different vibe. Rep. Fue Lee, who represents the area, wasn't holding back. He's been vocal that these "acts of violence" are tearing the community apart.
People are mostly furious about the "indiscriminate" use of tear gas.
When the shooting happened, a crowd gathered. Federal agents didn't just stand their ground; they deployed gas masks and started lobbing tear gas and grenades into the crowd. It wasn't just hitting protesters. The gas drifted into people's living rooms and kitchens in the middle of a Minnesota winter.
Imagine sitting in your house and having your eyes start burning because of a federal operation outside. That’s what’s fueling the "ICE must leave" chants you’re seeing on social media.
The Shadow of Renee Good
You can't understand the news about the shooting yesterday without talking about Renee Macklin Good.
She was killed by an ICE agent just one week ago on January 7 in the Powderhorn neighborhood. That incident is the primary reason why North Minneapolis is a powderkeg.
In that case, video showed an officer, Jonathan Ross, firing at her SUV at close range as she tried to drive away. The feds say she used her car as a weapon. Her family says she was just trying to follow orders to move the vehicle.
Yesterday, 911 transcripts from the Renee Good shooting were finally released. They’re harrowing. They detail bystanders screaming at agents and EMS trying desperately to save her while the scene devolved into total confusion.
- Renee Good Case: Fatally shot in the head.
- Yesterday's Shooting: Non-life-threatening leg wound.
- Common Thread: Both involved ICE/DHS agents in residential areas.
- The Reaction: Protests have now spread as far as Portland.
The Manhunt and the Stolen Gear
While the city was arguing over the shooting itself, the FBI was busy with a different problem. In the "aftermath" of the North Minneapolis chaos, several federal vehicles were vandalized.
Windows were smashed. Gear was swiped.
By yesterday afternoon, the ATF had arrested a man they claim is a member of the Latin Kings gang. They say he was caught with stolen FBI body armor and weaponry. The feds aren't playing around here; they’ve offered rewards up to $100,000 for info on others involved in the vehicle looting.
It’s a mess. Honestly, it’s a mess on every level.
What the Polls are Saying
Interestingly, the ACLU and YouGov dropped a rapid-response poll yesterday. It turns out, most voters—even across party lines—are getting uncomfortable with how this is being handled.
People generally want borders to work, sure. But they don’t seem to like the idea of federal agents firing shots in snowy residential streets or gassing neighborhoods. The poll showed a significant rejection of "further escalation" in these types of enforcement operations.
Moving Forward: What to Watch For
The legal battle is just heating up. A U.S. District Judge, Katherine Menendez, has promised to keep a "front burner" focus on a request for a restraining order against these federal tactics.
The Justice Department has until Monday to explain themselves.
If you are living in the Minneapolis area or just following from afar, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next 48 hours:
- The Insurrection Act Threat: President Trump has already mentioned using it to "quell" the protests. If troops actually show up, the situation changes from a local crisis to a national one.
- Legal Responses: Watch for the Monday deadline. The DOJ's filing will likely contain more bodycam footage or evidence to justify the "ambush" narrative.
- Community Safety: Local leaders like Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz are under immense pressure to either cooperate with the feds or kick them out. So far, they’ve chosen a middle path of "vocal frustration," which isn't satisfying anyone.
Stay aware of your surroundings if you're in the Northside or Powderhorn areas. The "Know Your Rights" virtual town halls being organized by local reps are a good resource if you're worried about federal agents in your specific block.
The news about the shooting yesterday isn't just a single headline. It's the latest chapter in a very tense standoff between federal authority and local community safety.