Crime
47-year-old Damian Dawson killed after shooting on 9th Court West in Birmingham
The shooting stemmed from a domestic-related dispute.
Authorities confirmed that a female suspect involved in a fatal shooting on Monday evening has turned herself in to law enforcement.
A tragic incident unfolded Monday evening as Birmingham police launched their second homicide investigation within a two-hour span. The victim has been identified as 47-year-old Damian Dawson.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. in the 100 block of Ninth Court West, located near the College Hills community.
According to Officer Truman Fitzgerald, North Precinct officers responded to reports of a shooting in the area. Upon arrival, they discovered Dawson lying in the driveway of a family memberโs home, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency personnel from Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service transported Dawson to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
Fitzgerald confirmed that the shooting stemmed from a domestic-related dispute. The suspect, identified as Dawsonโs ex-girlfriend, fled the scene before officers arrived.
The Birmingham Police Departmentโs Real Time Crime Center played a crucial role in assisting investigators to track the suspect. Officer Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of community involvement in advancing the case.
โThe most powerful resource we have at this scene is community help and involvement,โ Fitzgerald stated. โThe community has been vital to this investigation, providing critical information to our detectives.โ
Before the suspect turned herself in, Fitzgerald addressed her directly: โThis is a case where we know exactly who shot the victim, and we know exactly who weโre looking for. We urge this person to please turn yourself in. Itโs only a matter of time before our investigators and patrol officers will find you.โ
This incident marks Birminghamโs eighth homicide in 2025. Jefferson County as a whole has recorded 13 homicides so far this year. In January 2024, Birmingham reported six homicides, with the final one occurring on January 25, 2024.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Anonymous tips are welcome.
The community and police department continue to grieve for the victimโs family while seeking justice for this tragic loss.
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.