Crime
20-year-old Anicio Bernard killed after Casper shooting on South Missouri Avenue
CASPER, Wyo. — On the evening of Saturday, May 11, at approximately 6:50 p.m., officers with the Casper Police Department responded to the 1900 block of South Missouri Avenue following reports of a traumatic injury.
Upon arrival, witnesses reported hearing gunfire and a disturbance coming from within an apartment at the location.
Officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound outside the building.
A second adult male was found inside the apartment, also with an apparent gunshot wound.
Both individuals were transported to Wyoming Medical Center. One remains hospitalized in critical condition, while the other succumbed to his injuries.
The deceased has been identified as 20-year-old Anicio Kane Bernard of Casper, according to Natrona County Coroner James Whipps.
An autopsy is pending, and Bernard’s next of kin have been notified.
Preliminary findings indicate that the shooting stemmed from a confrontation inside the apartment that escalated into an exchange of gunfire.
Multiple individuals were present at the time of the incident.
All witnesses have since been located and interviewed by detectives.
Investigators believe this to be an isolated event and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Casper Police Department confirms the investigation remains active and ongoing. Detectives are currently processing evidence, executing search warrants, and pursuing new leads.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Casper Police Department at pdinvestigations@casperwy.gov or call 307-235-8286. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Central Wyoming by calling or texting (307) 577-8477. Information that leads to a significant development in the case may be eligible for a cash reward.
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.