DOJ drops charges against two men in Renee Good ICE shooting; ICE still holds them
The Department of Justice moved to dismiss—and a judge granted dismissal of—all federal assault charges against Alejandro Velasco‑Gonzalez and Kevin Garcia stemming from the Jan. 7 south Minneapolis ICE shooting, with prosecutors saying newly obtained video and witness statements materially undermined claims that either man attacked ICE Officer Jonathan Ross. The dismissal did not free them: they were released by a judge and immediately re‑detained by ICE in civil immigration custody, and their lawyers say they will use the dropped charges to bolster habeas challenges and argue the criminal narrative around the shooting was false.
📌 Key Facts
- The DOJ has formally moved to dismiss, and a judge has granted dismissal of all federal assault charges against Alejandro Velasco‑Gonzalez and Kevin Garcia arising from the Jan. 7 south Minneapolis ICE shooting.
- The charges stemmed from allegations that one or both men attacked ICE Officer Jonathan Ross during the Jan. 7 incident.
- Prosecutors told the court that newly obtained evidence — including additional video and witness statements — materially undermined the original claim that either man attacked Officer Ross.
- The dismissal of the federal criminal charges does not free the men: ICE is continuing to hold them in civil immigration custody.
- The defendants' lawyers say they will use the dropped charges to bolster habeas corpus challenges and to argue that the criminal narrative around the shooting was false from the start.
📊 Relevant Data
From 2020 to 2024, over 81,000 immigrants moved to Minnesota, making immigration the primary driver of population change and contributing to workforce growth.
Immigration became the leading component of population growth in Minnesota this decade — Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
In Minnesota, immigrants—including undocumented immigrants—are less likely to commit crimes than the U.S.-born.
ICE conducted 37 investigations into officer misconduct in the last year.
ICE conducted 37 investigations into officer misconduct in last year — GPB
Immigrant-owned businesses across Minnesota are reporting sharp drops in customer traffic, lost revenue, reduced hours, and temporary closures due to ICE enforcement.
FACT SHEET: ICE Enforcement is Disrupting Minnesota's Economy — North Star Policy Institute
Minnesota's Venezuelan community has doubled in the last three years.
Venezuelans in Minnesota fear rollback of TPS — Sahan Journal
In 2022, 14.2% of Minneapolis residents were foreign-born.
Minneapolis, MN — Data USA
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- DOJ has formally moved to dismiss, and a judge has granted dismissal of all federal assault charges against Alejandro Velasco‑Gonzalez and Kevin Garcia arising from the Jan. 7 south Minneapolis ICE shooting.
- Prosecutors told the court that newly obtained evidence — including additional video and witness statements — materially undermined the original claim that either man attacked ICE Officer Jonathan Ross.
- The dismissal does not free the men: ICE is continuing to hold them in civil immigration custody, and their lawyers plan to use the dropped charges to bolster habeas challenges and argue the criminal narrative around the shooting was false from the start.