Crime
21-year-old man killed after shooting outside Afton Motel in Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. — A disturbance in a motel parking lot near Kellogg and Broadway resulted in a shooting that critically injured a 21-year-old man, who later succumbed to his injuries, Wichita police confirmed.
The shooting was reported shortly before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday outside the Afton Motel, located in the 800 block of South Broadway, just south of Kellogg Avenue.
According to Wichita Police Lt. Lee Eisenbise, the victim was transported by private vehicle to a local hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition.
Despite lifesaving efforts, he was later pronounced deceased.
Eisenbise stated that the circumstances surrounding the disturbance and subsequent shooting remain under active investigation.
Detectives are working to gather additional information and evidence.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information related to the case to contact 911 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
“We want to stop this kind of thing, and the only way we’re going to be able to do that is with the public’s help,” Eisenbise emphasized.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
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.