Crime
5 Injured in Shooting at Brass Mill Center in Waterbury, Suspect Remains at Large
WATERBURY, Conn. – A shooting incident at the Brass Mill Center shopping mall on Tuesday afternoon has left multiple individuals injured, according to local authorities.
The incident prompted a large-scale emergency response and a continuing investigation by Waterbury police.
At approximately 5:20 p.m., the Waterbury Police Department confirmed they were on scene at the mall, actively investigating reports of gunfire involving multiple victims.
The suspected shooter reportedly opened fire within the premises and fled before officers arrived.
As of now, the suspect remains at large.
Emergency medical services responded swiftly to the scene, attending to those injured.
While the exact number and conditions of the victims have not yet been disclosed, the Office of the Mayor has stated that there are currently no reported fatalities.
Law enforcement officials have urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel and investigators to work safely and efficiently.
Authorities have not yet released further details, including a description of the suspect or a possible motive, citing the ongoing and active nature of the investigation.
The Brass Mill Center has been temporarily closed as police continue their work.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes 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.