Crime
Casa Grande Police Investigate Deadly Shooting One Killed, Five Injured
Casa Grande, AZ – The Casa Grande Police Department (CGPD) is actively investigating a fatal shooting that occurred during the early morning hours of February 8, 2025.
At approximately 1:11 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 500 block of West 13th Place.
Upon arrival, they discovered six individuals had been shot, including one fatality.
Among the victims:
- Three individuals were 20 years old
- One victim was 17 years old
- One victim was 19 years old
These five victims sustained varying injuries and were airlifted to trauma centers in the Valley for emergency medical treatment. - Their conditions range from stable to unknown at this time.
Additionally, officers located a 19-year-old male, later identified as Syncere Ellington of Phoenix, who was pronounced deceased at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound.
Authorities confirm that there are no outstanding suspects or ongoing threats to the community. However, the incident remains an active and ongoing investigation as detectives work to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Austin Keck at Austin_Keck@casagrandeaz.gov or call 520-421-8711 ext. 6079. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Silent Witness at 520-836-2100.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation develops.
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.