Crime
Broomfield Police Investigating Fatal Shooting at Arista Flats, Suspect in Custody
Broomfield, CO – The Broomfield Police Department is continuing to investigate a shooting incident that occurred early Thursday morning at the Arista Flats Apartments located at Central Court and Colony Row in Broomfield.
Officers were dispatched to the complex at approximately 6:30 AM in response to a disturbance call. Upon arrival, officers heard a man yelling inside one of the units. Shortly after, the suspect began firing shots at officers, into neighboring apartments, and into the parking lot.
A reverse emergency notification (LookOut Alert) was sent to nearby residents, advising them to shelter-in-place. Several units were evacuated as a precaution.
Tragically, a female victim who was inside the unit with the suspect succumbed to a gunshot wound after being transported to a local hospital. Her identity will be released at a later time by the Broomfield and Adams County Coroner.
The 34-year-old male suspect was shot by law enforcement officers before being arrested. He was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries and faces pending charges. Multiple law enforcement officers sustained minor injuries and were treated and released.
Several officers fired their weapons during the incident. The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) of the 17th Judicial District is now investigating the shooting and has placed the involved officers on administrative leave per department policy.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional information will not be released at this time to preserve the integrity of the process.
Due to the extensive nature of the crime scene, roads and buildings in the area may remain closed for several hours. Impacted residents who have not been able to return to their units are encouraged to seek assistance and information at the Broomfield Community Center located at 280 Spader Way.
The police department is requesting that residents report any items or damage related to the crime when returning to their homes or vehicles by calling the non-emergency line at 303-438-6400.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.