Crime
Victims Killed in Shooting Outside Westgate Mall in Brockton Identified
Brockton, MA – Authorities continue their search for a suspect in connection with the fatal double shooting that claimed the lives of two teenagers at the Westgate Mall in Brockton on Saturday night, March 23, 2025.
According to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, the victims have been identified as:
- Tymari Albertson, 15
- Cevannah Alvarez, 18
Both were shot and killed following a physical altercation that escalated into gunfire in the parking lot near Starbucks and Chipotle.
At approximately 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Brockton police responded to reports of a large fight involving several teenagers outside the Westgate Mall.
Moments later, gunshots rang out, striking Albertson and Alvarez.
Witnesses reported that a large number of teenagers had gathered in the area, many of whom had attended the grand opening of Urban Air Adventure Park, located across the street, shortly before the shooting.
Albertson, a Brockton High School student, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Alvarez later succumbed to her injuries at a nearby hospital.
The tragic loss has deeply impacted the Brockton community, particularly within the school district.
Brockton Public Schools issued a statement on Sunday expressing grief over the loss of one of their students:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Champion High School student following an incident of violence in our community yesterday. We are working to support their family however we can and will be making resources available to students and staff grieving this loss.”
Mayor Robert Sullivan also addressed the tragedy, emphasizing the city’s commitment to supporting students and holding those responsible accountable:
“As Mayor of the City of Brockton, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and classmates of the two victims. This tragedy is an active police investigation, under the direction of Police Chief Brenda Perez, in conjunction with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. The Brockton Public Schools, led by Superintendent Dr. Priya Tahiliani, will offer grief counseling services to students and staff impacted by this tragic event. This type of senseless violence will not be tolerated in our city.”
Grief counselors will be available Monday at Brockton schools to provide support to students and staff affected by the loss.
The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation and has not yet announced any arrests. Authorities are actively working to identify and locate the suspect(s) responsible for the shooting.
Officials urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact Brockton police.
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.