Crime
Man injured in shooting at Walmart in Sumter, suspect in custody
UPDATE: Suspect has been taken into custody.
Sumter, SC – The Sumter Police Department responded to a shooting incident at the Broad Street Walmart on Friday afternoon following reports of gunfire inside the store.
Upon arrival, officers located one individual with injuries resulting from the shooting.
The victim is currently receiving medical treatment, though their condition has not been disclosed.
Following a preliminary investigation, authorities have determined that the shooting was not an active shooter situation, but rather stemmed from an altercation between two individuals.
Officials have released surveillance images of a suspect believed to be involved in the incident and are seeking public assistance in identifying them.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
The situation has been contained, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including any prior connection between the individuals involved.
The Sumter Police Department is encouraging witnesses or those with information to contact Crime Stoppers or the police department directly.
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.