Crime
57-year-old Michael Landers dies from injuries in officer-involved shooting in Vermillion County
DANA, IN – A man who was shot during a police standoff in Vermillion County on Wednesday morning has died from his injuries, according to a news release issued by the Indiana State Police (ISP).
The deceased has been identified as 57-year-old Michael Landers of Dana, Indiana.
The incident occurred on East County Road 700 near Dana and involved a response from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Terre Haute Police Department SWAT Team.
ISP has launched a formal investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
According to ISP Sgt. Matt Ames, the situation began around 6:45 a.m. when a concerned family member visited Landers’ residence to conduct a welfare check.
During the visit, Landers reportedly brandished a firearm at the family member, prompting them to immediately leave the home and contact 911.
Law enforcement officers responded to the scene, and members of the Terre Haute SWAT Team arrived shortly afterward.
During the encounter, Landers is said to have pointed a firearm at officers.
In response to the perceived threat, an officer discharged their weapon, striking Landers.
Landers was initially transported to a local hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Champaign, Illinois, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with standard protocol while the investigation is ongoing.
No officers or other individuals were reported injured during the incident.
Indiana State Police emphasized that the investigation remains active, and further details will be released as they become available.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the ISP.
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.