Crime
Waterbury Brass Mill Center Shooting Suspect Identified as 19-Year-Old Tajuan Washington
WATERBURY, Conn. – Authorities have identified the suspect involved in Tuesday’s shooting at the Brass Mill Center as 19-year-old Tajuan Washington, who was already out on bond in connection with a previous criminal case at the time of the incident.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. confirmed that Washington is accused of opening fire inside the shopping mall, injuring five individuals.
The shooting, officials emphasized, was not a random act of violence, but instead stemmed from an ongoing conflict between Washington and another male individual with whom he had a prior dispute.
“This was a targeted confrontation between individuals with a history of issues,” Mayor Pernerewski stated. “It was a one-off incident. The public should know that the mall is secure and safe for business.”
According to Waterbury Police Chief Fred Spagnolo, Washington had been free on a $25,000 bond following an arrest in October, in which he was clocked driving 105 miles per hour on Interstate 84 East with his headlights turned off.
Following Tuesday’s shooting, Washington was taken into custody and is now facing five counts of first-degree assault, along with several firearms-related charges.
He is being held on a $2 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court later Wednesday.
Chief Spagnolo reported that three of the five victims have already been released from the hospital, while the remaining two are listed in stable condition.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence and review surveillance footage from the mall.
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.