Crime
44-year-old Michael William Dow arrested after deadly home shooting in Sumter County
SUMTER COUNTY, SC — A 44-year-old Sumter County man has been arrested and formally charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a local resident, along with several additional felony offenses.
Michael William Dow, a resident of Old Field Road in Sumter, was taken into custody on May 7, 2025, following the execution of an arrest warrant issued earlier that same day.
Dow faces multiple charges, including:
- Murder
- Trafficking in Cocaine
- Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
- First-Degree Burglary
The arrest stems from an investigation into the death of Robert Dustin Burleson, whose body was found inside his home during the early morning hours of Wednesday.
Deputies with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and quickly launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Burleson’s death.
Later that day, law enforcement personnel—including members of the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) and the Narcotics Unit—executed a search warrant at Dow’s residence. He was arrested without incident.
According to Sheriff Anthony Dennis, the investigation revealed that Dow allegedly broke into Burleson’s home and fatally shot him during what authorities believe was a personal dispute.
Evidence gathered at the scene and during the subsequent search led to Dow being charged with murder and additional crimes related to drugs and weapons.
Sheriff Dennis praised the efforts of the deputies and investigative teams for their swift and effective action.
“We believe Mr. Dow acted alone in this senseless act of violence,” said Sheriff Dennis. “This was a tragic and deliberate event, and we are committed to ensuring justice is served.”
Michael William Dow is currently being held without bond at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
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.