Crime
Canton Police Search for Malachi Lee-Shawn Fortner in Deadly Shooting of 21-Year-Old Stephon Dunn
CANTON, Ohio — Authorities are actively searching for 18-year-old Malachi Lee-Shawn Fortner, who is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Stephon Dunn.
The incident occurred Thursday evening in the 1500 block of Clarendon Avenue SW, according to the Canton Police Department.
Officers were dispatched to the scene shortly after 8:45 p.m. in response to reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, they located Dunn lying in a yard with an apparent gunshot wound to the back.
Officers immediately began life-saving measures, including CPR, until emergency medical personnel from the Canton Fire Department arrived.
Dunn was transported to Aultman Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Following an initial investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Fortner, who is now wanted on charges of murder and felonious assault.
The Canton Police Department is urging anyone with knowledge of Fortner’s location to come forward. Tips can be reported by calling the Canton Police Communications Center at 330-649-5800, or the Detective Bureau at 330-489-3144.
Anonymous information can also be submitted through Tip411 or by contacting Stark County Crime Stoppers.
Authorities caution that Fortner may be armed and should not be approached.
Anyone who sees him is advised to contact law enforcement immediately.
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.