Crime
Two Victims Identified in Anderson County Fatal Shooting, Suspect in Custody
ANDERSON, S.C. – Authorities have identified two individuals who were found shot to death in Anderson County early Wednesday morning.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and coroner’s office responded to the scene at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Quinn Street, where they discovered two deceased victims and one injured survivor.
According to Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore, the victims have been identified as Christian Jordan Woods, 22, and Rona Paul McGirt, 59, both of Anderson.
The surviving male victim, who managed to flag down help, was transported to a local hospital and is expected to fully recover.
Authorities confirmed that Darren Demetrius Martin, a registered sex offender, has been arrested and charged with:
- Two counts of murder
- One count of attempted murder
- Possession of a weapon during a violent crime
Martin is currently being held at the Anderson County Detention Center.
Court records indicate that Martin was previously charged with murder in connection with the 2020 killing of Jesse Banks III; however, that case was later dismissed.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence and determine the circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting.
Further details may be released as the case progresses.
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.