Crime
13-Year-Old Derron Woody Fatally Shot During After-School Altercation in DeKalb County
DEKALB COUNTY, GA – Authorities have identified the middle school student who was fatally shot during an after-school altercation as 13-year-old Derron Woody.
In a letter to families on Friday, DeKalb Alternative School Principal Terrence Harvey confirmed Woody’s passing and extended condolences to his family and friends.
A crisis intervention team was made available at the school to provide grief counseling for students and staff.
The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the 4800 block of Glenwood Road.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a juvenile male suffering from a gunshot wound. Woody was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
According to police, another middle school student was taken into custody for questioning, but no charges have been filed at this time.
Investigators are working to determine what led to the altercation and how it escalated to gunfire.
Woody’s father believes his son was attempting to flee when he was shot. His family described him as an avid gamer and shared cherished photos from his fifth-grade graduation in 2023.
As they prepare for his funeral, the family has launched a fundraiser to assist with burial expenses.
Those wishing to contribute can do so via their GoFundMe campaign.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact DeKalb police or submit an anonymous tip through the free Tip411 app by texting “DKPD” to 847411, followed by the tip.
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.