Crime
15-year-old Joel Bradford injured in shooting outside Mall of Georgia, 18-year-old Khaden Williams arrested and charged
Authorities have identified 18-year-old Khaden Williams, a DeKalb County resident, as the suspect in a Saturday night shooting at the Mall of Georgia in Buford.
The incident left a 15-year-old boy Joel Bradford injured and receiving treatment at a local hospital. His current condition remains undisclosed.
The shooting occurred just after the mall closed, around 9:30 p.m., according to the Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD). An officer working security detail at the mall heard gunfire and immediately responded to the scene.
Officials reported that Williams attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. He has since been charged with aggravated assault.
The injured teenager was transported to a nearby hospital for medical care.
Detectives are actively investigating the incident. Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) teams are processing evidence at the scene, and investigators are working to locate witnesses who may have seen or heard the shooting.
One individual was transported to police headquarters for questioning in connection to the case.
The GCPD is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Individuals can contact GCPD detectives at (770) 513-5300.
For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through:
- Crime Stoppers Atlanta: Call (404) 577-TIPS (8477)
- Online: Visit StopCrimeATL.com
Authorities are continuing to work diligently to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and ensure justice is served.
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.