Crime
16-Year-Old Ashbrook High School Student Fatally Shot in Gastonia, Suspect Arrested
The Gastonia Police Department confirmed the tragic death of a 16-year-old student, Zaquavious Dawkins, who was fatally shot on Saturday evening, January 25, 2025.
Dawkins, a student at Ashbrook High School, succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting on North Chester Street/U.S. 321, just south of Interstate 85, around 6 p.m. Saturday.
According to Jose Jamie, owner of Los Arcos, the incident occurred behind his restaurant. Jamie stated that the area was quickly flooded with law enforcement, and emergency responders transported Dawkins to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
On Tuesday morning, Gastonia police confirmed the arrest of 16-year-old Sean James Curtis Simpson in connection with Dawkins’ killing.
Simpson was apprehended in the Cox Road area and has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Authorities have not yet disclosed details about the motive or any prior relationship between the victim and the suspect.
Gastonia Police are urging anyone with information regarding this case to come forward. Witnesses or those with relevant details are encouraged to contact the Gastonia Police Department at 704-866-6702. Additionally, anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers. Information leading to an arrest may qualify for a cash reward.
The Gastonia community mourns the loss of a young life and is calling for justice for Zaquavious Dawkins as law enforcement continues its investigation into this tragic incident.
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.