Crime
Child Killed, Twin Critically Injured in Belle Meade Apartments Shooting, Shawnteza La Shay Sherman Charged with Murder
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. — The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is providing an update on the ongoing investigation into the tragic shooting that occurred Friday evening at the Belle Meade Apartments on Fleetwood Drive, resulting in the death of a young child and injuries to two others.
Investigators have charged 31-year-old Shawnteza La Shay Sherman with Murder, two counts of Attempted Murder, and Criminal Conspiracy.
Additionally, a juvenile has been charged with a weapons offense for possession of a firearm while under the age of 18.
The juvenile is currently being held at the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia.
According to Sheriff Hobart Lewis, the incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. when two groups exchanged gunfire outside the apartment complex.
During the shootout, two 5-year-old twin brothers who were inside an apartment, along with an 18-year-old male, were struck by gunfire.
Tragically, one of the twin brothers succumbed to his injuries. His sibling remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The 18-year-old victim sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and is expected to recover.
“This was a senseless and heartbreaking act of violence,” Sheriff Lewis said. “Several individuals recklessly fired upon each other, endangering innocent lives. Our community deserves better.”
Sheriff Lewis indicated the shooting may have been gang-related and confirmed there were multiple shooters involved.
He expressed frustration at the lack of public cooperation, noting that no witnesses have come forward with information.
“I hope those responsible are watching,” Lewis said. “There are teams working around the clock — at the scene, on the streets, and in this building — and we will not stop until every individual responsible is apprehended.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with law enforcement continuing their efforts to locate and arrest all individuals involved.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers of Greenville. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
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.