Crime
Homicide Investigation Underway in Bellefontaine Neighbors
Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO – The St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is conducting an active homicide investigation following a fatal shooting that occurred in the 10100 block of Maraldo Place in the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors.
At approximately 8:22 p.m. on February 28, 2025, officers from the Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department responded to a call for service regarding a shooting at the location.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered an adult male suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds.
The victim, later identified as Cortez Scott, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are working to gather further details surrounding the circumstances of the incident.
Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
- Contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak directly with investigators.
- To remain anonymous or be eligible for a potential reward, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
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.