A Minneapolis immigration officer has been charged with assault, marking a rare instance in which the state government has filed a lawsuit against an officer for actions taken while on duty. This case is drawing attention due to its implications for law enforcement accountability, particularly in relation to the use of force during immigration enforcement. While officers are typically shielded from lawsuits in the course of their duties, this case raises important questions about the boundaries of law enforcement conduct and the mechanisms for holding officers accountable for their actions.

A suspect has been charged after stealing a man’s car, dragging him down the street and fatally running him over in Minneapolis.

Gerald Nicolas Cepeda, 34, is facing one count of second-degree murder.

On Saturday, Minneapolis police responded to 18th Street and Chicago Avenue for a report of a man who was dragged by a car and was lying in the street.

Minneapolis police investigating fatal hit-and-run, no arrests made

Authorities found the man and provided life-saving measures, but he later died at the hospital.

According to court documents, surveillance video showed the man arriving in his white van in the area of Chicago and Franklin avenues while Cepeda was near the bus stop.

The man got out of his vehicle to talk to people on the sidewalk, which is when Cepeda ran over and jumped into the driver’s seat, the criminal complaint notes.

Court records say the man then ran back to his car and stopped Cepeda from shutting the door, but Cepeda drove away while the man was hanging onto the open door.

Cepeda drove for about two blocks, dragging the man’s body along, before quickly turning onto East 18th Street, causing the man to fall from the vehicle and be run over by the van.

Officers found the van a few blocks away with the keys still in the ignition, according to court documents.

The complaint states that witnesses on scene reported Cepeda and the man had a brief argument before Cepeda stole the car.

Cepeda was arrested on Tuesday and told authorities that he was “just playing a joke” and was going to bring the man’s vehicle back. He added that he did not know the man was killed as a result, court records note.

Court documents show that Cepeda had prior convictions for vehicle theft in 2024 and 2025.

His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.