Crime
Reports of shots fired inside Lakeline Mall in Austin, Texas
Multiple law enforcement and emergency response agencies are currently on scene at Lakeline Mall in Cedar Park, Texas, following reports of a critical incident.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department (APD), Austin Fire Department, and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) have all deployed personnel to the location.
APD has described the situation as a “shoot/stab hotshot,” indicating a high-priority response.
However, authorities have clarified that this is an isolated incident and does not appear to involve an active shooter scenario.
Tactical units are actively staging in and around the mall to secure the area and manage the response.
The APD has urged the public to avoid the area while the situation unfolds.
This precaution is to ensure both public safety and unimpeded operations for first responders.
ATCEMS has established a designated media staging area at Havertys Furniture store, located across from the mall.
Updates from law enforcement and emergency agencies are expected to be provided as more information becomes available.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, and further details will be released as they are confirmed. Residents and shoppers are advised to monitor official channels for the latest updates.
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.