Crime
Victims killed in Conway Mass Shooting Identified as Tatayana Penister and Demetrius Feemster
According to authorities, multiple suspects opened fire, discharging more than 100 rounds from at least six different firearms.
CONWAY, Ark. – On Tuesday, Conway Police Department officials shared new details regarding the tragic shooting that occurred Sunday evening at 5th Avenue Park, leaving two individuals dead and nine others injured.
During a press conference, Conway Police Chief Chris Harris identified the two deceased victims as 24-year-old Tatayana Penister of England, Arkansas, and 23-year-old Demetrius Feemster of Little Rock.
Chief Harris explained that the shooting took place during a large gathering at the park, which was part of a party organized by out-of-town promoters.
According to authorities, multiple suspects opened fire, discharging more than 100 rounds from at least six different firearms.
Nine people were injured in the incident. One remains in serious condition, while the remaining eight sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
While some attendees believed the event was affiliated with a local college, officials from the University of Central Arkansas confirmed that the school had no involvement in organizing or sponsoring the gathering.
Chief Harris also noted that no event permit was issued by the City of Conway for the gathering.
As of Tuesday, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with Conway Police working closely alongside the University of Central Arkansas and the Arkansas State Police.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the Conway Police Department or submit tips anonymously.
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.