Crime
Car fatally strikes 39-year-old Shirley Howard pushing stroller in north St. Louis
2-year-old critically injured.
St. Louis, MO – Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred in North St. Louis on Monday, January 20, 2025, as 39-year-old Shirley Howard.
The tragic incident took place at approximately 2:00 p.m. near the intersection of West Florissant Avenue and Arlington Avenue.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, a vehicle driven by a man in his 80s was traveling westbound on West Florissant when it struck Ms. Howard, who was pushing a stroller with a 2-year-old child. Reports indicate that Ms. Howard was walking in the street, possibly near a snowbank, at the time of the collision.
Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene; however, despite their efforts, Ms. Howard was pronounced deceased on-site.
The child sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Medical officials have since reported that the child’s condition has been upgraded to critical but stable.
The St. Louis Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Unit is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have not yet determined whether Ms. Howard was walking in the roadway to avoid icy sidewalks or attempting to cross the street when the collision occurred.
Officials urge anyone with information related to this tragic incident to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
The community is encouraged to keep Ms. Howard’s family and loved ones in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult 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.