Crime
1 killed in shooting at Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant in Gastonia
Gastonia, NC – The Gastonia Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred outside Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant on North Chester Street Sunday evening.
According to an official police report, officers responded to the scene at approximately 5:45 p.m. following reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered a male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds while walking along Highway 321.
The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the suspect, described as a white male, fled the scene in a Tesla. Witnesses reported that the suspect discharged an entire magazine, striking the victim nine times.
One bystander, who was at a nearby Exxon station during the incident, stated, “I was told by police that it wasn’t a female involved, but rather a white male in a Tesla who emptied his clip.”
Law enforcement officials are currently interviewing witnesses, although they have noted that some accounts may not be entirely reliable.
The investigation remains active, and authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Gastonia Police Department at (704) 866-6702 or submit an anonymous tip via Gaston County Crime Stoppers at (704) 861-8000.
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.