Two immigration agents may have made untruthful statements in sworn testimony about the shooting of a migrant in Minneapolis last month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has said. ICE acting director Todd Lyons announced that the two officers, who have not been named, were immediately placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Lying under oath is a serious federal offence, Lyons noted. Recently, a judge granted a request to drop charges against two men accused of attacking the officers during the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had initially reported that the shooting occurred after a federal officer was attacked with a shovel and broom handle by three migrants on January 14. Lyons, addressing the situation on Friday, stated that the evidence suggests the officers' testimonies may have been misleading, and the US attorney's office is actively looking into the matter.
Video evidence has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements, Lyons stated. Should the investigation conclude negatively for them, the officers could face termination and potential criminal charges.
The incident in January was described by the DHS as stemming from a car chase involving a Venezuelan national in the country illegally. Reports indicated that after the pursuit ended, an altercation ensued between the migrant and the federal agent, and during the struggle, additional individuals intervened, leading to the officer firing shots in self-defense.
Lyons's comments have amplified concerns regarding accountability and the integrity of law enforcement narratives, particularly in sensitive situations such as encounters involving marginalized communities.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had initially reported that the shooting occurred after a federal officer was attacked with a shovel and broom handle by three migrants on January 14. Lyons, addressing the situation on Friday, stated that the evidence suggests the officers' testimonies may have been misleading, and the US attorney's office is actively looking into the matter.
Video evidence has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements, Lyons stated. Should the investigation conclude negatively for them, the officers could face termination and potential criminal charges.
The incident in January was described by the DHS as stemming from a car chase involving a Venezuelan national in the country illegally. Reports indicated that after the pursuit ended, an altercation ensued between the migrant and the federal agent, and during the struggle, additional individuals intervened, leading to the officer firing shots in self-defense.
Lyons's comments have amplified concerns regarding accountability and the integrity of law enforcement narratives, particularly in sensitive situations such as encounters involving marginalized communities.
