Crime
Victims Killed in Targeted South Minneapolis Shooting Identified
Minneapolis, MN — A late-night shooting in the Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis left three people dead and two others seriously injured on Tuesday, according to Minneapolis police.
The incident occurred just before midnight near the intersection of Bloomington Avenue and East 25th Street.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed during a press conference early Wednesday morning that the initial investigation suggests a “high probability” the shooting was targeted.
“This is an absolutely senseless tragedy,” O’Hara stated. “There are families suffering tonight, grieving, and we must acknowledge the devastating impact this has on our community.”
Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found five adult victims — four inside a vehicle and one male on the sidewalk.
Three individuals — two males and one female — were pronounced dead at the scene.
They have since been identified as:
- Leras Rainey
- Evan Denny, also known as Ramone Day
- Maleice White
Two additional victims — a male and a female — sustained potentially life-threatening injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital.
Their current conditions have not been publicly updated.
No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
Investigators are working to determine the motive and any potential suspects.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the circumstances leading up to the violence.
As police were processing the initial crime scene, additional gunshots were reported approximately five blocks away in the 3000 block of 15th Avenue South.
Officers responded and located evidence of gunfire, though no victims were present.
Shortly thereafter, a person with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound arrived at a nearby hospital.
Authorities are still working to determine whether the two incidents are related.
Chief O’Hara called on the public for assistance. “We need our entire community to stand up and not accept this level of violence,” he said. “When people come forward with information quickly, it significantly increases our ability to deliver justice for victims and their families.”
A spokesperson for Mayor Jacob Frey also addressed the incident, calling the violence “tragic and unacceptable.”
“This senseless violence has no place in our city and detracts from the progress being made,” said spokesperson Aaron Rose. “As we head into summer, Mayor Frey’s top priority is keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe.”
Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact the Minneapolis Police Department or submit tips anonymously through CrimeStoppers.
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.