Crime
Workplace Dispute at Republic Services Escalates to Shooting, Leaving One Critically Injured
A workplace altercation at Republic Services took a violent turn Monday morning when an employee opened fire, critically injuring a coworker, according to police reports.
At approximately 6:10 a.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting at the Republic Services recycling center.
Upon arrival, they discovered that a verbal dispute between two employees had escalated into physical violence.
According to police, 52-year-old Shannon Lynn Bicking was physically assaulted by a coworker.
Her husband, 53-year-old Ethan Temple Bicking, intervened in an attempt to protect her.
However, the suspect produced a firearm and shot Mr. Bicking before fleeing the scene.
Emergency responders transported both victims to the hospital. Ms. Bicking sustained injuries from the assault and is currently in stable condition, while Mr. Bicking remains in critical but stable condition as a result of the gunshot wound.
Authorities quickly identified and apprehended the suspect, though their identity has not yet been publicly released due to the ongoing investigation.
The Winston-Salem Police Departmentโs Violent Firearms Investigation Team (VFIT) has taken the lead in the case.
Officials urge anyone with additional information to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department or 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.