Crime
Victim Killed in Shooting Outside Florence Qulture nightclub Identified
FLORENCE, S.C. — The Florence County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man killed in a mass shooting early Sunday morning outside the Qulture nightclub as Melvin Anthony Gibson.
The incident, which took place in the 3000 block of East Palmetto Street, left a total of seven individuals shot, according to Sheriff T.J. Joye.
Deputies were dispatched to the scene shortly after the shooting erupted in the nightclub’s parking lot.
Sheriff Joye reported that a disturbance escalated into gunfire following an altercation among patrons.
Gibson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The remaining six victims sustained varying injuries and were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
At this time, authorities have not released the identities or medical conditions of the surviving victims.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed any arrests or identified suspects, and the motive behind the altercation remains under investigation.
Detectives continue to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses as part of their ongoing efforts.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to contact the Florence County Sheriff’s Office or submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee.
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.