Crime
20-year-old Jalea Turner killed in New Year’s Morning Shooting in West Erie
An autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday to determine the exact cause of death.
Erie, PA – Authorities have provided an update on Erie’s first homicide of the year, which claimed the life of 20-year-old Jalea Turner in a tragic New Year’s Day shooting.
According to Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook, Jalea Turner was declared brain-dead on Wednesday afternoon following the incident. An autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday to determine the exact cause of death.
The shooting occurred just after 12:30 a.m. on January 1 in the 900 block of West 19th Street.
In addition to Jalea, a 19-year-old man was also injured during the attack, sustaining a gunshot wound to his leg. He was treated at a local hospital and has since been released.
No arrests have been made, and the Erie Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is actively investigating the case.
Detectives are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in their efforts to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible.
Community members who have information related to this incident are encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant David Madurski or Detective Ronald Pilarski of the Erie Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 814-870-1229.
The Erie Police Department is committed to seeking justice for Jalea Darea and ensuring the safety of the community. Your assistance could be crucial in solving this case.
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.