Crime
One Victim Killed in Conway Mass Shooting Identified as Tatayana Penister
CONWAY, AR — One of the victims fatally shot during Sunday’s mass shooting at Fifth Avenue Park has been identified as Tatayana Penister, according to officials.
The deadly incident, which unfolded during a gathering at the park, claimed two lives and left nine others wounded.
Witness accounts and emotional social media posts have begun to shed light on the chaos and heartbreak experienced by those at the scene.
Latashia Winzer, a bystander who said she was with Tatayana when the shooting occurred, shared a powerful and emotional plea online, recounting her desperate efforts to save Penister’s life.
“I wish y’all would’ve helped when I begged for it,” Winzer wrote. “I wish I didn’t get tired. I wish my arms didn’t go weak. She did not want to die—she didn’t deserve to die. I swear I wish I could’ve done more. Y’all dead wrong.”
Winzer said she performed CPR on Penister until she could no longer continue, expressing deep sorrow and frustration over what she perceived as a lack of immediate assistance from authorities.
“Police didn’t do anything but stand over us. I begged for help,” she said. “She held on for so long. I’m praying so hard for her mom. My heart hurts. No mother deserves to get a call like this.”
The shooting took place around Fifth Avenue Park in Conway on Sunday evening, where large crowds had gathered.
Police said multiple 911 calls were received as shots rang out, triggering a swift emergency response.
Video captured during the event shows people fleeing in panic as gunfire erupted.
As of Monday, the nine individuals injured in the shooting were reported to be in stable condition after being transported to nearby hospitals.
The identity of the second deceased victim has not yet been released.
Conway Police have not released information about potential suspects or a motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 501-450-6130. Callers may speak with any available detective. If the line is not answered, officials request that a message be left, and someone will return the call.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” the Conway Police Department stated. “We ask the public to avoid the area while our officers continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses.”
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as new 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.