Crime
32-year-old Shondale Kellumn killed following parking lot shooting in Kalamazoo
The second victim, a 33-year-old resident of Kalamazoo, sustained injuries that are not life-threatening and has since received medical treatment.
On the evening of November 9, 2024, at around 10:25 p.m., officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) responded to reports of gunfire in the 1300 block of Portage Street.
Upon arrival, they confirmed that a shooting had taken place in the parking lot of a nearby business.
Shortly afterward, two individuals arrived at a local hospital with gunshot wounds.
Tragically, one of the victims, identified as 32-year-old Shondale Devon Kellumn, a Kalamazoo resident, succumbed to his injuries.
Our deepest condolences go out to Mr. Kellumnโs family, friends, and loved ones during this heartbreaking time.
The second victim, a 33-year-old resident of Kalamazoo, sustained injuries that are not life-threatening and has since received medical treatment.
The KDPS is actively investigating several leads related to this incident. Initial findings suggest there is no immediate or ongoing threat to the general public.
However, authorities are urging anyone with information about this incident or any related criminal activity to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 269-337-8139. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, via the โP3Tipsโ app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.
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 subjectโs 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. Attorneyโs Office.