Crime
Male and female found shot to death in southwest Birmingham
The Birmingham Police Department has launched a double homicide investigation following a tragic incident that took place late on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Authorities are withholding the names of the victims pending notification of their next of kin.
Around 10:29 p.m., officers from the West Precinct responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle that had come to a stop on the sidewalk along the 1300 Block of Princeton Avenue Southwest.
The vehicle, which had visible bullet holes, was seen by a passerby slowly rolling backward before it eventually halted in front of an abandoned residence.
Observing the bullet-riddled car, the witness immediately alerted 911 Emergency Services.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a male and female inside the vehicle, both unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived shortly thereafter and pronounced both individuals deceased at the scene.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the shooting occurred before the vehicle came to a stop on the sidewalk.
However, further details remain limited as detectives work to uncover more information about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Currently, there are no suspects in custody, and police have not yet provided information on potential motives or suspects.
This tragic incident marks Birmingham’s 125th and 126th homicide investigations for the year 2024, with an additional 11 cases classified as justifiable deaths.
The Birmingham Police Department is urging anyone with information related to this case to come forward.
Those who may have details that could assist in the investigation are encouraged to contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
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.