Crime
17-Year-Old Suspect Wanted for First-Degree Murder in Tunica County Shooting
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tunica County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warrant for a 17-year-old male suspect in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred late Sunday night in Tunica County, Mississippi.
Deputies responded to a call regarding a shooting at the intersection of Carole Street and Edwards Avenue at approximately 11:13 p.m. on Sunday, April 13.
Upon arrival, they discovered 18-year-old Mackenzie Kaleb Thomas suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite emergency efforts, Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following an initial investigation, authorities identified 17-year-old Mario Donyale Lester, Jr. as the primary suspect.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest on charges of first-degree murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm within a populated area.
Lester is considered armed and dangerous, and law enforcement is urging the public not to approach him.
Anyone who sees Lester or has information regarding his location should call 911 immediately or contact the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office at (662) 363-1411. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Tunica County CrimeStoppers at (662) 910-0400.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office warned that any individuals found to have knowingly aided, abetted, or concealed Lester while he is evading arrest may face criminal charges.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become 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.