Crime
Victim killed in Bedford Avenue shooting identified as 25-year-old Zaykeese Brown
LYNCHBURG, VA — The Lynchburg Police Department has confirmed the identity of the victim in Tuesday night’s fatal shooting on Bedford Avenue as 25-year-old Zaykeese Amarius Brown, a resident of Lynchburg.
Brown was pronounced dead after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest.
According to authorities, officers responded to reports of a shooting and arrived to find Brown critically injured.
Despite lifesaving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Investigators have since reviewed surveillance footage in the area and identified a single camera angle that captures an individual walking away from the scene.
Police believe this person may be connected to the shooting and are pursuing this as a potential lead in the investigation.
In a statement, the Lynchburg Police Department expressed its sympathies:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and loved ones of Zaykeese during this incredibly difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences as they navigate this profound loss.”
Authorities believe the shooting was an isolated incident and have stated that there is no known ongoing threat to the community.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact Detective Dubie at (434) 455-6102 or call Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900 to provide anonymous tips.
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.