The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is currently spearheading an investigation into a use-of-force incident from January 14 involving a federal officer in Minneapolis. As reported by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the altercation occurred after federal officers chased a vehicle that crashed into a snowbank in the 600 block of 24th Avenue North.
The BCA's ongoing investigation details that the driver, an adult male, fled the crash site to a nearby residence, where the federal officer caught up with him, leading to a confrontation that also involved another male from the home, and a broom may have been used during the event. The officer discharged his firearm, hitting one of the males. In the chaos that ensued, Minneapolis police and Hennepin County medics responded to the scene, where they found 24-year-old Julio Sosa-Celis with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg, as detailed by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. He was transported to a hospital, as was the injured federal officer, while the other male was detained by the authorities present.
A crowd that had formed near the incident site posed safety concerns, hindering the BCA crime scene personnel from completing their investigation on the night of the event. The BCA's subsequent search on January 21 allowed them to recover a broom, alongside a shell casing and a bullet linked to the altercation. However, the BCA has not been able to converse with the involved federal officer, nor have they been provided details such as the officer's identity or body camera usage, as per the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Furthermore, the FBI, which also arrived on scene, has indicated it will not be sharing findings from its separate probe with the BCA.
The BCA has issued a call for public assistance, asking anyone with relevant video or firsthand information to submit tips to [email protected]. The investigation will continue in accordance with Minnesota law, and once complete, the findings will be forwarded to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office without recommendation from the BCA.
