Crime
Overnight Fire at Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence Ruled Arson, Governor Shapiro and Family Safe
HARRISBURG, PA – An early morning fire at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence is under investigation as a suspected act of arson, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
The incident occurred around 2:03 a.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of North Front Street.
City fire crews were dispatched to the scene under Box 1-3 for reports of a building fire at the official residence.
Upon arrival, Uptown companies found no visible fire from the exterior.
However, after a more thorough investigation, firefighters discovered an active blaze on the first floor of the structure.
Two hoselines were deployed to combat the flames, and firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within approximately 20 minutes.
Primary and secondary searches of the residence were conducted, and no occupants were found in the affected area.
Governor Josh Shapiro, First Lady Lori Shapiro, and their family were home at the time but in a separate section of the residence.
They were safely evacuated without injury.
Governor Shapiro released a statement following the incident:
“Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.”
Authorities have not released details on how the fire was set or if any suspects have been identified.
The investigation is ongoing, and state police are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward.
No injuries were reported, and the extent of the damage to the historic residence has not yet been fully assessed.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes 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.