Crime
Hit and run on water: At least 1 dead, several hospitalized after ferry struck by another boat in Clearwater
Clearwater, Fla. — Authorities confirm that at least one person has died and 12 others have been hospitalized following a collision involving the Clearwater Ferry on Sunday evening, April 27, 2025.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:43 p.m. near the Memorial Causeway Bridge.
According to officials, the Clearwater Ferry, carrying more than 40 passengers, was struck by another vessel, which subsequently fled the scene.
Due to the number and severity of injuries, the Clearwater Fire Department declared the incident a mass casualty event.
First responders from multiple agencies, including fire, police, and EMS, were dispatched immediately to the crash site.
Approximately 51 individuals were evaluated at the scene.
Of those, 12 were transported to local hospitals for further medical treatment.
Six patients were designated as trauma alerts, with two airlifted by helicopter to trauma centers.
Initial medical reports indicate several patients sustained broken bones and other serious injuries.
The ferry came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway Bridge.
All passengers have been safely evacuated from the vessel.
No passengers are currently reported missing.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are leading the crash investigation.
Authorities have located the second vessel involved — a recreational boat — and its occupants are undergoing medical evaluation at the Belleair Boat Ramp, approximately 3.75 miles south of the crash site.
Clearwater officials released updated photos of the crash scene late Sunday night, confirming that all injuries originated from the ferry.
The identity of the deceased individual has not yet been publicly released, pending next-of-kin notification.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released as agencies gather more information.
The Clearwater Police Department has asked anyone with information about the incident or who may have witnessed the collision to contact authorities immediately.
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.