Crime
14-year-old Armando Morales killed in stabbing outside Santa Ana High School
SANTA ANA, Calif. — A 14-year-old student, identified by friends as Armando Morales, was killed and two other teenage boys were injured in a stabbing that occurred outside Santa Ana High School on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD).
The violent incident unfolded at approximately 3:25 p.m., shortly after the school day had ended.
Police say the three victims—ages 14, 15, and 16—were attacked in front of the campus, prompting an emergency response.
All three were transported to a local hospital, where the 14-year-old succumbed to his injuries.
The other two victims remain hospitalized and are reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities have launched a search for two suspects believed to be involved in the attack.
While initial reports indicate that all parties—victims and suspects—are students at Santa Ana High School, that detail has not been definitively confirmed.
Investigators are exploring the possibility that the attack was gang-related, although the precise motive remains under investigation.
Officers are currently reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Aaron Chavez, a friend of the deceased, described Armando as a kind-hearted and humorous teenager, expressing deep sorrow over the loss. “He didn’t deserve this. He was a good kid,” Chavez said.
In response to the incident, the Santa Ana Unified School District issued a statement to families assuring them that there is no active threat to the school or the surrounding community. “The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority,” the statement read.
All after-school activities were canceled for the day, and crisis counselors will be available on campus starting Thursday to provide emotional support and resources for students and staff affected by the tragedy.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Santa Ana Police Department.
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.