Crime
Three Injured in Shooting at Walgreens in Central West End, Female Suspect in Custody
St. Louis, MO – Three people, including a Walgreens employee, were shot and injured following an altercation at the Walgreens located at 4218 Lindell Blvd in the Central West End.
Authorities have taken a 19-year-old female suspect into custody in connection with the incident.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), officers responded to reports of an active shooting at the Walgreens near Lindell and Whittier around 12:00 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds near the entrance of the store.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident stemmed from a dispute between two men outside the Walgreens.
A store employee, who was familiar with both individuals, attempted to intervene in the argument when a 19-year-old woman—later identified as the sister of one of the men—produced a firearm and opened fire, striking all three individuals.
Shortly after the shooting, officers located a third victim at Lindell and Sarah, where they also apprehended the suspect.
Authorities confirmed that the third victim and the suspect are siblings.
All three victims were transported to a local hospital, where they remain in stable condition.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and additional details will be released as they become 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.