Crime
At least 1 dead, multiple injured after shooting at Elizabeth City State University During Viking Fest
Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred shortly before midnight on Saturday, April 26, 2025, on the campus of Elizabeth City State University (ECSU).
Victim killed in ECSU shooting identified as 21-year-old Isaiah Caldwell
The Elizabeth City Police Department issued a campus-wide text alert advising residents to shelter in place after reports of shots fired near Bias Hall.
“There has been a report of shots fired on campus in the area of Bias Hall.
Shelter in place as Elizabeth City Police Department and campus police investigate the situation,” the alert stated.
Hundreds of students, alumni, and guests were gathered on campus for the final day of ECSU’s annual Viking Fest, which included the Blue and White Vikings spring football game and other festivities.
During the incident, three students sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and/or abdomen and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Tragically, one male student was pronounced deceased upon arrival at the hospital.
Eyewitness Victoria Lewis told Channel2 NOW that her daughter and grandson were near the shooting. “My daughter and her friends were able to hide safely, but my grandson was caught in the crossfire. Thankfully, he managed to run in the opposite direction and escape. Nobody but God. I am truly grateful this morning,” she said.
In response to the incident, ECSU Police, the Elizabeth City Police Department, the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are actively collaborating on the investigation.
Authorities have confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the campus community.
As a precaution, ECSU Police have increased patrols across campus, and access to the central campus area will be restricted on Sunday.
In a statement, the university expressed deep sorrow over the incident: “We are deeply saddened by this senseless act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all members of the Viking community affected by this tragedy.”
To support students, faculty, and staff, ECSU Counseling Services will be available beginning at 10:30 a.m. today, Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center. Immediate and after-hours counseling support is also available by calling 252-335-3275.
Bedell Dining Hall will be closed today. Breakfast will be delivered to residence halls beginning at 9:30 a.m. Lunch (12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.) and dinner (5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) will be served at the K.E. White Graduate Center. Shuttle services will be provided for students to and from dining areas.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact ECSU University Police at 252-335-3266.
The university and law enforcement agencies will continue to provide updates as more 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.