Crime
Surveillance Video Captures Moments Leading Up to Shooting at Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah
SAVANNAH, GA — A shooting at Oglethorpe Mall on Wednesday evening left multiple people injured and prompted a large-scale emergency and law enforcement response.
Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther addressed the media shortly after the incident, confirming that the violence stemmed from an altercation between two groups — not an active shooter situation.
“This is not a random act of violence,” Chief Gunther stated. “It appears to have been two groups involved in a dispute that escalated into gunfire. This was not an active shooter scenario.”
According to Gunther, three individuals — two young adults and one juvenile — sustained gunshot wounds.
Their injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening. Chatham EMS confirmed that a total of seven people were transported from the scene, four of whom suffered medical emergencies unrelated to gunfire.
One individual remains in critical condition.
The shooting began inside a store within the mall and continued outside, according to police.
The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m., prompting the immediate evacuation of Oglethorpe Mall and a swift lockdown of surrounding areas.
Firefighters from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 574 were dispatched at approximately 5:43 p.m. Multiple ambulances responded to the scene, and additional fire and EMS personnel were deployed to assist with triage and transportation of victims.
Authorities described the situation as “active and dangerous” earlier in the evening, urging the public to avoid the area. Witnesses reported being ordered to shelter in place inside stores until law enforcement secured the mall.
Security camera footage of the incident has since surfaced online, though law enforcement has not yet commented on the contents of the leak.
The Savannah Police Department, alongside other local and federal agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Officials have not announced any arrests or identified the individuals involved.
“This is a serious matter that involved multiple victims and created fear and confusion in our community,” Gunther added. “We are working diligently to ensure justice is served and the public remains safe.”
Residents are encouraged to report any additional information or video related to the incident and to continue avoiding the area while the investigation remains active.
Updates will be provided as new details emerge.
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.