Crime
Victims Identified in Mamou Mardi Gras Concert Shootings
Authorities have identified the two teenage victims who tragically lost their lives in the recent Mamou Mardi Gras concert shootings, which left two dead and 14 others injured.
Family and friends are mourning the loss of Bryson Green and Alaya Christian, both of whom were struck by gunfire during the violent incidents.
Bryson Green, affectionately known as “BREAL” by his loved ones, is remembered as a protective and lighthearted young man.
“He loved to chill and laugh,” said his parents, Trina and David Green. “Even though he was the youngest of his siblings, he always made sure his sisters were safe and protected wherever they went.” Green leaves behind his parents and five siblings, all of whom are devastated by his loss.
The second victim, Alaya Christian, was an honor student at Lafayette Renaissance Charter High School.
In addition to excelling academically, she was an active member of the schoolโs softball team and student council.
School leaders expressed their grief over her passing, saying she will be “deeply missed” by the entire school community.
The shootings took place during Mardi Gras celebrations in Mamou, where large crowds had gathered for a concert.
Witnesses described a sudden eruption of gunfire from a fully automatic weapon, triggering mass panic as hundreds of people ran for their lives.
Mamou Police Chief Pat Hall described the aftermath as officers arrived at the scene:
“When we got to the area, we saw several people injured. Two individuals succumbed to their injuries, two are in critical condition at Lafayette General, and the rest are being treated for various gunshot wounds.”
Authorities are still working to determine the motive behind the shootings and whether the two incidents are connected.
This tragedy follows another shooting on Monday, which left three people wounded during the same Mardi Gras celebrations.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate and urge anyone with information to contact the Mamou Police Department or Evangeline Parish Crime Stoppers.
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 subjectโs 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. Attorneyโs Office.