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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 said 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 said. On Friday, a judge granted a request to drop charges against two men who were accused of attacking the officers.
The Department of Homeland Security initially said a federal officer shot a man in the leg after being attacked with a shovel and broom handle by three migrants on 14 January.
On Friday, Lyons said in a statement that the two officers appeared to have provided inaccurate testimony, and that the US attorney's office was actively investigating the matter.
"Video evidence has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements," he said.
"Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution," he added.
After the 14 January incident, the DHS issued a statement saying the shooting happened after a car chase involving a Venezuelan national who was in the country illegally. After the pursuit the man got out of his car and an altercation broke out between him and the federal agent, it added.
"While the subject and law enforcement were in a struggle on the ground, two subjects came out of a nearby apartment and also attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle," the agency had claimed.
"As the officer was being ambushed and attacked by the two individuals, the original subject got loose and began striking the officer with a shovel or broom stick."
The DHS statement went on to say, "fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired defensive shots". The three people then ran into an apartment and were later all arrested.
Shortly after the incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said an agent was "beat up, he's bruised, he is injured, he's getting treatment, and we're thankful that he made it out alive".
It was soon followed by a statement on X by US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche: "Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement. It's disgusting."
