Crime
29-year-old Xavier Sterling killed after shooting at Chances Restaurant and Lounge in Hampton
HAMPTON, Va. — A homicide investigation is underway after a man was fatally shot Monday night outside a local establishment in downtown Hampton.
At approximately 10:48 p.m. on May 6, officers with the Hampton Police Division responded to a shooting at Chance’s Restaurant and Lounge, located in the 500 block of Settlers Landing Road.
Upon arrival, they discovered 29-year-old Xavier Sterling suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Personnel from the Hampton Fire and Rescue Division rendered immediate medical aid and transported Sterling to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, he was later pronounced deceased.
Preliminary findings indicate that an altercation initially took place inside the business and later escalated outside, where an unidentified suspect fired a weapon, fatally striking Sterling.
The suspect fled the scene, and no arrest has been announced at this time.
Detectives with the Hampton Police Division’s Major Crimes Unit are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have not yet released a description of the suspect, and the motive remains under investigation.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Hampton Police Division or submit an anonymous tip through the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
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.