Crime
24-year-old Alexcia Ayers killed after shooting on Carr Street in downtown St. Louis
The St. Louis community is grieving the tragic loss of 24-year-old Alexcia Ayers, who was fatally shot on the evening of December 29. The incident occurred near the 700 block of Carr Street in downtown St. Louis.
Police officers responded to reports of gunfire and discovered Ayers suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside an apartment building around 10 p.m.
Despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel, Ayers was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Division is urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be shared directly with the division at 314-444-5371 or anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
The St. Louis community is uniting to support Ayersโ family during this difficult time, with calls for justice and accountability.
Alexcia Ayers will be remembered as a vibrant young woman whose life was tragically cut short. Community members are encouraged to share any information that could help bring closure and justice in 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 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.