Crime
Victims killed in shooting on Spirit Lake Reservation identified, suspect in custody
St. Michael, ND – The Spirit Lake Tribe is grieving the loss of three community members following a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday morning in St. Michael.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement notified the Spirit Lake Tribe of the tragic incident.
The victims have been identified as Kristy Lee, her daughter Tiana Lenoir, and infant Lokia, all members of the Spirit Lake Tribe.
In response to the active threat, law enforcement issued a shelter-in-place order for all residents within the Spirit Lake Reservation boundaries, including the districts of St. Michael, Fort Totten, Crow Hill, and Wood Lake.
Authorities conducted an extensive search for the suspect, who was considered armed and dangerous.
At approximately 1:20 p.m., law enforcement successfully apprehended the suspect, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted.
The Spirit Lake Tribal Council has since issued administrative leave for all tribal employees to allow the community time to grieve.
“As we navigate this difficult time, we ask for the community’s empathy and understanding. Our hearts go out to the victims’ families, and we encourage everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn this devastating loss together. We also ask that the privacy of the victims’ families be respected as investigations continue.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the law enforcement agencies for their swift response and ongoing efforts in handling this situation.”
The Spirit Lake Tribe urges all tribal citizens to prioritize their mental health and well-being during this difficult time.
Grief counseling and support services are available through Spirit Lake Behavioral Health for those in need.
For assistance, please contact Spirit Lake Behavioral Health at the designated support lines.
No one should face this loss alone—help is 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.