Crime
7-year-old child killed in Urbana home invasion identified
Urbana, IL – The Urbana Police Department is investigating a fatal home invasion and shooting that left two people dead, including a 7-year-old child, on Saturday evening, February 8, 2025.
Officers responded to a report of a shooting with injuries in the 900 block of Lanore Drive shortly before 8:00 p.m.
The location is situated just south of the Brookens Administrative Center, near the intersection of Lanore Drive and Washington Street.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 7-year-old child, identified as Darnell “DJ” Wicks, suffering from gunshot wounds. The child was immediately transported to the hospital but tragically succumbed to their injuries.
Shortly after the child was taken for emergency medical treatment, officers located a 43-year-old Melvin Braxton near the scene, also suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The identities of both victims are being withheld pending notification of their families.
Authorities believe the shooting was the result of a home invasion, though additional details surrounding the circumstances have not yet been released.
The Urbana Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division has taken over the case and continues to actively investigate.
This tragic incident comes just one day after an 18-year-old was fatally shot in Urbana in an unrelated shooting on Friday night.
Investigators are currently canvassing the area in search of witnesses and video surveillance footage that could provide critical information.
Residents and business owners with exterior security cameras in the area are urged to contact the Urbana Police Department.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Urbana Police Department’s non-emergency line at (217) 384-2320.
To remain anonymous, individuals can submit tips to Champaign County Crime Stoppers through the following methods:
📞 Call: (217) 373-8477
Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any tip leading to an arrest in a homicide investigation.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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.