Crime
2 Suspects Arrested in Connection to Fatal Americus Shooting That Killed 5-Year-Old Girl
Americus, GA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested a second suspect in connection with the February 8 shooting at Eastview Apartments, which resulted in the death of 5-year-old Peyton Roberts and left two others injured.
On Thursday afternoon, GBI agents arrested 20-year-old Ny’Tavion Smith on charges of felony murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery.
Smith was taken into custody during the execution of a search warrant conducted by the GBI Special Operations Unit, the GBI regional investigative office in Americus, and the Americus Police Department.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, GBI officials announced the arrest of 19-year-old Ricky Martin, who is also facing charges of felony murder and aggravated assault in connection with the same incident.
The shooting occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, when Americus Police responded to a shots fired call at an apartment complex located in the 600 block of Eastview Circle.
Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple gunshot victims. Peyton Brielle Roberts, 5, was critically wounded and later succumbed to her injuries at Phoebe Sumter Hospital.
A 19-year-old male victim was also transported to Phoebe Sumter before being airlifted to another medical facility, where he remains in critical condition.
A third victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Both Smith and Martin are currently being held at the Sumter County Jail as the investigation continues.
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.