Crime
26-year-old Julia Byrne and her 3-year-old son Blake killed in Pembroke shooting
PEMBROKE, N.H. — The deaths of a 26-year-old woman and her 3-year-old son early Friday morning are under investigation as a possible murder-suicide, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.
Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on May 9, 2025, officers with the Pembroke Police Department responded to a 911 call from a residence located at 336 Pembroke Hill Road.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with the individual who had placed the call. While searching the home, officers discovered Julia Byrne, 26, and her son, Blake Byrne, 3, in an upstairs bedroom, both suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to the head.
Blake was transported to Concord Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Julia Byrne was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to officials, a witness at the residence reported hearing two gunshots, prompting them to enter the bedroom, where they discovered the victims.
Both Julia and Blake Byrne were residents of the home.
Assistant Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Abigail Alexander conducted autopsies on both victims Friday.
Preliminary results indicate that Julia Byrne died of a single gunshot wound to the head, with her manner of death currently pending further investigation.
Blake Byrne also died of a single gunshot wound to the head, and his manner of death has been classified as homicide.
In a joint statement, Attorney General John M. Formella, Colonel Mark B. Hall of the New Hampshire State Police, and Chief Gary R. Gaskell of the Pembroke Police Department confirmed that the incident remains under investigation as a potential murder-suicide.
However, officials emphasized that there is no threat to the public at this time.
Authorities are not releasing further details as the investigation remains active.
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.