Crime
Deandra Patterson arrested in Deadly Shooting of 22-Year-Old Micah Ledbetter in Cape Girardeau
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Authorities have identified and arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred on Friday, May 9, 2025, in the 1500 block of Whitener Street.
The Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad confirmed that Deandra Leeann Patterson, 27, of Cape Girardeau, has been formally charged in the case.
According to the Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor’s Office, Patterson faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Class A Felony – Murder in the Second Degree
- Felony – Armed Criminal Action
- Class C Felony – Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Patterson is currently being held in custody on a $1 million cash-only bond.
At approximately 12:52 p.m. on Friday, May 9, officers with the Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the 1500 block of Whitener Street.
Upon arrival, officers located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.
The injury was deemed non-life-threatening, and the victim was transported by EMS to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Shortly afterward, police were notified by an area hospital that a second gunshot victim had arrived at the emergency room by private vehicle.
That victim was identified as Micah Ledbetter, 22, of Cape Girardeau.
Despite emergency medical efforts, Ledbetter succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.
The scene was secured, and investigators with the Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad were activated to lead the investigation.
Through evidence collection and witness interviews, authorities developed Patterson as a suspect and issued formal charges.
The Major Case Squad continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and encourages anyone with relevant information to contact the Cape Girardeau Police Department:
- Business Line: 573-339-6621
- Anonymous Tip Line: 573-339-6313
Additional updates will be released as the case progresses.
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.