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OSINT Report: Josué Castro Rivera - Virginia ICE Pursuit Death

Date of Research: February 5, 2026
Published by: Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Subject: Josué Castro Rivera - Fatal pursuit by ICE agents
Confidence: HIGH

Executive Summary

On October 23, 2025, Josué Castro Rivera, a 24-25 year old Honduran national, was struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 264 in Norfolk, Virginia, after fleeing from ICE agents during a "targeted, intelligence-based" immigration enforcement operation. Castro Rivera was headed to a gardening job when agents stopped a van carrying him and three other men. He fled the scene on foot and attempted to cross the interstate, where he was fatally struck by a 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck at approximately 11:00 AM. Castro Rivera had no removal order or pending criminal case at the time of his death. His family has called his death "an injustice" and advocacy groups have demanded accountability for ICE's actions that created the deadly situation.

CRITICAL CLASSIFICATION: This is NOT a traditional detention death - this is a pursuit-related death where ICE enforcement actions directly led to a fatal situation.

1. VICTIM PROFILE

Josué Castro Rivera

Personal Information:
- Age: 24-25 years old (sources vary)
- Nationality: Honduras
- Time in U.S.: Approximately 4 years
- Occupation: Gardener/landscaper
- Purpose in U.S.: Sending money home to family in Honduras
- Immigration Status: No removal order pending, no criminal case at time of death
- Marital Status: Unknown

Background:
- Resided in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia
- Working in landscaping/gardening at time of death
- Described by family as having "a very good heart"
- No criminal record or immigration violations documented
- Part of a crew of workers traveling to a job site on morning of incident

Family:
- Brother: Henry Castro (primary spokesperson)
- Multiple family members in Honduras awaiting repatriation of body
- Parents and siblings not publicly identified

2. THE INCIDENT - October 23, 2025

Location: Interstate 264 at Military Highway interchange, Norfolk, Virginia (eastbound)

Timeline:

  • ~10:45 AM: Castro Rivera and three other men being transported to gardening job in a van
  • ~11:00 AM: ICE agents conduct vehicle stop of van as part of "targeted, intelligence-based operation"
  • 11:00 AM: Agents attempt to detain Castro Rivera and three other passengers
  • 11:00 AM: Castro Rivera flees on foot from vehicle
  • 11:00-11:02 AM: Castro Rivera attempts to cross Interstate 264 (active highway with traffic)
  • ~11:02 AM: Castro Rivera struck by 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck
  • ~11:02 AM: Castro Rivera pronounced dead at scene

What Castro Rivera Was Doing:
- Traveling to work at gardening/landscaping job
- Fled when ICE agents attempted arrest
- Attempted to cross active interstate highway during flight

ICE Actions:
- Conducted vehicle stop of van carrying workers
- Attempted to detain all four passengers
- According to DHS: Castro Rivera "resisted heavily and fled"
- No indication ICE pursued him onto highway
- No indication ICE attempted to stop traffic or secure the area

Driver of Vehicle:
- Driving 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck
- No charges filed against driver
- Virginia State Police determined no criminal culpability

Critical Finding: No Active Removal Order

According to multiple sources, including Patricia Bracknell (President, Hampton Roads Chamber for Hispanic Progress):
- Castro Rivera had NO removal order at time of death
- No criminal case pending against him
- No ICE detainer on file

Sources confirm:
1. Members of the men's families reported none of the four men had removal orders
2. Patricia Bracknell, in direct contact with family, confirmed no removal order
3. Description by Bracknell as "wrong place, wrong time"

Implications:
- ICE conducted arrest without existing removal order
- Operation was described as "targeted" but Castro Rivera was not the target
- Raises questions about legal basis for attempted detention

4. ICE USE OF FORCE & PURSUIT POLICIES

Department of Homeland Security Statement:

"Castro Rivera resisted heavily and fled"

Policy Questions:

  1. Pursuit Protocols:
  2. Did ICE follow protocols for foot pursuits near active highways?
  3. Were agents trained to disengage when pursuit creates deadly risk?

  4. Was supervisor approval obtained for pursuit?

  5. Traffic Control:

  6. Did ICE attempt to stop or slow highway traffic?
  7. Were emergency services notified of pursuit near highway?

  8. Was area secured before attempting arrest?

  9. Use of Force Continuum:

  10. What level of resistance justified pursuit into traffic?
  11. Were alternatives to pursuit considered?
  12. What de-escalation tactics were employed?

Pattern Recognition:
This death follows a pattern of ICE-related pursuit deaths where enforcement actions create deadly situations:
- Subject flees enforcement
- Pursuit occurs in dangerous environment (highway, water, etc.)
- Death results from environmental hazard, not direct force
- ICE characterizes as "fleeing" rather than acknowledging role of pursuit

5. INVESTIGATIONS

Virginia State Police Investigation

Status: Active as of October 2025

Focus:
- Investigation into traffic fatality
- Determination of driver culpability
- Standard vehicle-pedestrian death investigation

Findings:
- No charges filed against driver of pickup truck
- Driver not found criminally negligent
- Pedestrian (Castro Rivera) entered active traffic lane

Limitations:
- VSP investigation focused on traffic incident, not ICE actions
- No indication of investigation into ICE pursuit policies
- No review of whether ICE actions contributed to death

Federal Investigation

Status: No federal investigation announced as of research date

Concerns:
- No DOJ Civil Rights Division investigation announced
- No DHS Office of Inspector General investigation announced
- No internal ICE review publicly acknowledged

Contrast with Other Cases:
- Alex Pretti shooting (Jan 2026): Immediate DOJ Civil Rights investigation
- Renée Good shooting (Jan 2026): Federal investigation opened
- Castro Rivera pursuit death: No announced federal review

6. FAMILY RESPONSE

Henry Castro (Brother)

Public Statements:

"He didn't deserve everything that happened to him. He had a very good heart."

"An injustice" - Henry Castro's description of his brother's death

Family Actions:
- Raised funds via GoFundMe to repatriate body to Honduras
- Fundraiser exceeded $10,000 goal
- Working with Patricia Bracknell and Hampton Roads Chamber for Hispanic Progress
- Seeking answers about circumstances of death
- No legal representation announced publicly

Family Grief:
- Body remains in Virginia pending repatriation
- Family in Honduras awaiting return for burial
- "Heartbroken" according to family statements
- Seeking proper farewell in home country

7. ADVOCACY & COMMUNITY RESPONSE

CASA (Community Advocacy and Support Organization)

Eduardo Zelaya, CASA Virginia:

"Josué's death is the result of weak leadership in Virginia that has allowed fear to become part of everyday life by letting ICE terrorize immigrant families."

CASA Demands:
- Full, transparent investigation into ICE actions
- Accountability for decisions that led to deadly pursuit
- Review of ICE pursuit policies and protocols
- Justice for Castro Rivera family

Chamber for Hispanic Progress

Patricia Bracknell (President):
- Confirmed Castro Rivera had no removal order
- Described incident as "wrong place, wrong time"
- Working directly with family
- Assisting with repatriation efforts

Immigrant Rights Community

Broader Response:
- "No one should have to run for their life" - advocacy statement
- Calls for ICE accountability
- Demands for policy changes on pursuits
- Criticism of "climate of fear" created by enforcement operations

Pattern Recognition:
- Part of broader criticism of Trump administration immigration enforcement
- Links to other deaths during enforcement operations
- Concern about "targeted" operations affecting non-targets

ICE Enforcement Authority

Legal Questions:
1. What was legal basis for stopping van?
2. What probable cause existed to detain Castro Rivera specifically?
3. Was immigration warrant required given no existing removal order?
4. Does ICE have authority to conduct vehicle stops without criminal probable cause?

Pursuit Liability

Civil Liability Concerns:
- Did ICE pursuit create foreseeable risk of death?
- Would reasonable officer have disengaged near active highway?
- Does ICE bear responsibility for creating deadly situation?

Criminal Liability:
- No criminal charges against ICE agents
- No investigation into potential reckless endangerment
- No review of whether pursuit violated policies

Qualified Immunity

Federal Agent Protections:
- ICE agents heavily shielded from civil liability
- Supreme Court precedent protects federal agents
- Family would face significant barriers to civil lawsuit
- Criminal prosecution of federal agents rare

9. SYSTEMIC PATTERNS

Similar Pursuit Deaths

Pattern Identified:
This death follows documented pattern of immigration enforcement pursuit deaths:
1. ICE/CBP conducts enforcement operation
2. Subject flees due to fear or immigration status
3. Pursuit occurs in dangerous environment
4. Death results from environmental hazard
5. Agency attributes death to "fleeing" rather than pursuit
6. No accountability for creating deadly situation

Historical Examples:
- Multiple drowning deaths during border pursuits
- Vehicle-related deaths during ICE enforcement
- Deaths from falls or exposure during flight from agents

"Targeted" Operations Affecting Non-Targets

Critical Pattern:
- Operation described as "targeted, intelligence-based"
- Castro Rivera was NOT subject of removal order
- He was collateral arrest in operation targeting others
- "Targeted" operations routinely sweep up non-targets
- Creates legal questions about scope of enforcement authority

10. GAPS & UNVERIFIED INFORMATION

What Remains Unclear:

  1. ICE Operational Details:
  2. Who was actual target of "targeted" operation?
  3. What intelligence led to vehicle stop?
  4. How many ICE agents involved?

  5. Did pursuit continue onto highway or stop at roadside?

  6. Pursuit Timeline:

  7. Exact duration of time between vehicle stop and death
  8. Distance Castro Rivera traveled before reaching highway
  9. Whether ICE agents pursued onto highway or stopped at edge

  10. Communications between ICE and emergency services

  11. Policy Compliance:

  12. Does ICE have written pursuit policies?
  13. Were policies followed in this case?
  14. Was supervisor approval obtained?

  15. What review occurred after death?

  16. Investigation Status:

  17. Has DHS OIG opened investigation?
  18. Is DOJ Civil Rights Division reviewing case?
  19. Will congressional oversight occur?

  20. What internal ICE review has occurred?

  21. Legal Action:

  22. Has family retained legal representation?
  23. Will wrongful death lawsuit be filed?
  24. Are there grounds for federal civil rights claims?

  25. What statute of limitations applies?

  26. Other Passengers:

  27. Who were the three other men in van?
  28. Were they detained or released?
  29. What was their immigration status?
  30. Can they provide witness testimony?

11. ACCOUNTABILITY ANALYSIS

Current Accountability Status: NONE

No Actions Taken:
- No ICE agents disciplined
- No federal investigation announced
- No policy changes implemented
- No congressional oversight initiated
- No civil lawsuit filed (as of research date)

Barriers to Accountability

Legal Barriers:
1. Qualified immunity for federal agents
2. Supreme Court limits on civil rights claims
3. Difficulty proving causation when death from third party (driver)
4. Federal agent protections from state prosecution

Investigative Barriers:
1. No federal oversight agency investigating
2. State police investigation limited to traffic incident
3. ICE internal review not transparent or publicly accountable
4. Family lacks resources for independent investigation

Political Barriers:
1. Trump administration unlikely to investigate own enforcement
2. No congressional majority support for oversight
3. DHS Secretary supports aggressive enforcement
4. Political climate favors enforcement over accountability

Comparison to Shooting Deaths

Disparity in Response:
- Alex Pretti (shot by CBP Jan 2026): Immediate DOJ investigation
- Renée Good (shot by ICE Jan 2026): Federal investigation
- Castro Rivera (died fleeing ICE Oct 2025): No federal investigation

Why the Difference?
- Shooting deaths generate more media attention
- Direct use of force more clearly implicates agency
- Pursuit deaths characterized as "accidental" or "chose to flee"
- Causation easier to establish in shootings

12. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

ICE Narrative vs. Reality

ICE Narrative:

"Targeted, intelligence-based operation" where subject "resisted heavily and fled"

Reality:
- Castro Rivera had no removal order - not a target
- "Resistance" was non-violent flight, not assault
- ICE created situation where flight was to active highway
- Death was foreseeable consequence of pursuit near traffic

Responsibility Questions

Who Bears Responsibility?

  1. ICE Agents:
  2. Conducted stop without removal order
  3. Pursued or created situation forcing flight to highway
  4. Did not secure area or control traffic

  5. Created foreseeable risk of death

  6. ICE Policy:

  7. Unclear if pursuit policies exist or were followed
  8. "Targeted" operations routinely sweep non-targets
  9. Aggressive enforcement creates climate of fear driving flight

  10. No apparent training on disengagement near hazards

  11. Driver:

  12. Struck pedestrian on highway
  13. State police found no criminal negligence

  14. Could not have anticipated person fleeing into traffic

  15. Systemic:

  16. Mass deportation policies create desperation
  17. Climate of fear makes flight more likely
  18. Lack of legal pathways creates vulnerable population
  19. Enforcement prioritizes arrests over safety

The "Wrong Place, Wrong Time" Problem

Patricia Bracknell's characterization raises fundamental questions:
- If Castro Rivera was "wrong place, wrong time," why was he targeted?
- What prevents any immigrant worker from being "wrong place, wrong time"?
- Does ICE have authority to stop and detain absent individualized suspicion?
- Is collateral arrest of non-targets lawful?

FINAL ASSESSMENT

Overall Confidence: HIGH

Confirmed Facts:
- Josué Castro Rivera, 24-25, Honduran national, died October 23, 2025
- Struck by vehicle on Interstate 264 in Norfolk, Virginia
- Death occurred while fleeing ICE enforcement operation
- Castro Rivera had no removal order or criminal case pending
- ICE described operation as "targeted, intelligence-based"
- Virginia State Police investigating; no charges against driver
- Family raising funds to repatriate body to Honduras
- Advocacy groups demanding accountability and investigation

High-Confidence Findings:
- Castro Rivera was not target of "targeted" operation
- Flight was response to ICE arrest attempt
- Death was foreseeable consequence of pursuit near highway
- No federal investigation has been announced
- No ICE accountability measures have been taken

Critical Pattern:
This death exemplifies how immigration enforcement operations create deadly situations even without direct use of force. ICE's characterization of deaths as resulting from "fleeing" obscures agency responsibility for creating circumstances where flight becomes deadly.

Disputed/Unclear:
- Exact legal basis for vehicle stop
- Whether ICE pursued onto highway or stopped at edge
- What pursuit policies exist and whether they were followed
- Why no federal investigation has been opened
- Whether family will pursue legal action

Disclaimer:

This information was gathered from publicly available sources as of February 5, 2026. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Investigations are ongoing. Use responsibly and verify independently before taking action.

Research completed: February 5, 2026
Total sources consulted: 12+ independent sources
Methodology: OSINT Cycle with Bellingcat-style verification
Confidence level: HIGH (3+ independent sources, corroborating details, official statements)

Published by Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Methodology: Bellingcat-standard OSINT — public sources only