Crime
19-year-old Julissa Lovick killed in Park Hill neighborhood shooting, suspect Joshua Miller charged with murder
According to the footage, Miller stated: “If they ask you, I wasn’t sorry for it. I was trying to kill that b**h.”*
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 36-year-old man has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Julissa Valavia Lovick on Cypress Street in Louisville’s Park Hill neighborhood, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
The shooting occurred on Sunday, January 7, at approximately 1:17 p.m. LMPD officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1300 block of Cypress Street.
Upon arrival, they discovered Lovick lying on the sidewalk, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services transported her to the University of Louisville Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
According to initial reports, Lovick and her cousin met with the cousin’s ex-boyfriend, identified as 36-year-old Joshua Miller, to retrieve personal belongings. Miller reportedly gave the pair a ride back to Cypress Street.
Upon arrival, Lovick’s cousin stated that as she was entering the home, she saw Miller fire multiple rounds at Lovick before fleeing the scene.
However, Lovick’s mother, Nichole Evans, disputed the reported relationship between Lovick and Miller. Speaking to Channel 2 NOW, Evans clarified:
“The victim is my daughter, and no, he is not her ex-boyfriend. She had no relationship with him. She was simply in the middle of her cousin’s domestic violence situation.”
Before succumbing to her injuries, Lovick identified Miller as the shooter. She provided officers with his full name, age, and address.
At approximately 3 p.m., Miller returned to the scene armed with a handgun and fired at officers in an alley behind the residence. A brief foot pursuit ensued, during which officers shot Miller at least once.
He was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.
No officers or bystanders were injured during the confrontation.
While being transported to the hospital, Miller allegedly made an incriminating statement captured on an officer’s body-worn camera. According to the footage, Miller stated:
“If they ask you, I wasn’t sorry for it. I was trying to kill that b**h.”*
In addition to the murder charge, Miller will face multiple charges for firing at LMPD officers.
The investigation into the incident remains active. LMPD has not released further details at this time.
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.