ICE agent charged in Minneapolis shooting released from Texas jail after court denies Minnesota restraining order
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A federal judge rejected Minnesota's request to block the release of ICE officer Christian Castro, who was charged with assault in a 2024 shooting, and he was freed from a Texas jail.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer charged with assault in a Minneapolis shooting was released from the Cameron County Jail in Texas on Thursday. The release follows U.S. District Court Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.'s denial of Minnesota's request for a temporary restraining order aimed at preventing the officer's departure.
The incident occurred on Jan. 14 when the officer, identified as Christian Castro, shot a Venezuelan migrant in the leg and faced four counts of second-degree assault and a count of false reporting. Video evidence later contradicted Castro's claim that the victim had attacked him with a broomstick and shovel.
Castro was arrested in Texas on May 29 and held pending extradition requests from Minnesota. In a 13-page opinion, Judge Rodriguez said the case did not present a “ripe” issue for adjudication, noting that Governor Greg Abbott had neither approved nor denied the rendition warrant but had asked the state secretary to review the request.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the decision would not prevent the officer from facing justice in the state. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, said the ruling reflected the governor's responsibility to evaluate extradition requests carefully.