Crime
Five-Year-Old Killed, Two Others Injured in Americus Shooting
Authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection with the shooting.
Americus, GA – A tragic shooting in Americus on Saturday night, February 8, 2025, claimed the life of a five-year-old girl and left two others injured, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
At approximately 8:30 p.m., Americus Police Department officers responded to reports of shots fired in the 600 block of Eastview Circle.
Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Peyton Brielle Roberts, 5, of Americus, was among the victims.
She was immediately transported to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.
A 19-year-old male was also taken to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center before being transferred to another facility, where he remains in critical condition.
A third victim, whose identity has not been released, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection with the shooting.
GBI agents and Americus Police investigators are actively conducting interviews and working to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Officials urge anyone with information to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the following channels:
- GBI Regional Investigative Office: (229) 931-2439
- Americus Police Department: (229) 924-3677
- GBI Tip Line: 1-800-597-8477
This remains an active investigation, and updates will be provided as more details emerge.
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.