Crime
Victim Killed in Shooting Outside Church’s Chicken on East Waco Drive Identified
WACO, TX — The Waco Police Department is actively investigating a deadly shooting that occurred Thursday evening in the parking lot of Church’s Chicken, located on East Waco Drive.
This incident marks the city’s fifth homicide investigation of the year.
Officers responded to the scene at approximately 7:17 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, they discovered a 30-year-old man, identified as Jeromy MeechMoon, deceased in the parking lot from apparent gunshot wounds.
A second victim, a 24-year-old man, was also injured in the shooting.
He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he is currently listed in stable condition, according to police.
At this time, no arrests have been made, and investigators have not publicly identified a motive or any suspects in connection to the shooting.
Crime scene tape cordoned off the area, as police processed evidence and interviewed witnesses late into the evening.
Authorities are urging anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact the Waco Police Department or reach out anonymously to Waco Crime Stoppers at 254-753-HELP (4357). Tips that lead to an arrest could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details will be released as they become available.
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.