Crime
Michelle Hampton Found Dead After Alleged Kidnapping in Clayton, Body Discovered in North St. Louis
No injuries have been reported from the shooting.
ST. LOUIS โ Authorities are investigating a tragic incident involving the death of a woman following an alleged kidnapping early Wednesday morning.
The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Michelle Hampton, who was reportedly abducted outside her home in Clayton around 7:15 a.m. as she prepared to leave for work.
According to Michelleโs brother, Mike Potter, two men were seen forcing her into a vehicle before fleeing the scene.
The suspects also stole her car, which was later found abandoned. Michelleโs body was discovered in North St. Louis near the 4700 block of Greer Avenue.
Police reported that she had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The horrifying events unfolded in front of Michelleโs twin sister, Samantha, who witnessed the kidnapping. In a desperate attempt to save her sister, Samantha pursued the suspects in her own car, despite having her children with her.
During the chase, the suspects fired at Samanthaโs vehicle. Thankfully, neither she nor her children were injured in the gunfire.
Investigators believe this was a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence. The area where Michelleโs body was found is close to Hickey Elementary School, prompting the school to implement a temporary soft lockdown as a precaution.
Police are actively working to gather more details about the incident and have called on the public for assistance.
Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities. Formal identification of Michelleโs body will be confirmed by the medical examinerโs office.
The shocking incident has devastated Michelleโs family, friends, and community members, who are struggling to comprehend the loss and are determined to seek justice.
Investigators continue to follow leads as they work to bring the suspects to justice.
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.