Crime
17-year-old Carizma Fox killed in Waterbury shooting
The Waterbury Police Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl early Friday morning in what authorities have classified as a homicide.
Officers responded to a report of gunfire in the area of 185 Willow Street at approximately 2:48 a.m.
Upon arrival, they discovered a teenage female suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim, identified as Carizma Fox of Waterbury, was transported to a local hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Preliminary findings indicate that a disturbance involving a group of individuals took place on the street prior to the shooting.
โA disturbance occurred outside involving a group of individuals, which led to the shooting,โ said Lt. Ryan Bessette, Public Information Officer for the Waterbury Police Department.
The incident remains under active investigation.
Fox was a student at Enlightenment School.
In response to the tragedy, Waterbury Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darren Schwartz issued a statement expressing condolences and outlining available support services for students.
โIt is with profound sadness that I share the tragic loss of one of our students at Enlightenment School,โ said Dr. Schwartz. โOur heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.โ
Grief counseling services were made available Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the school.
Additional mental health resources are being offered through Wellmore Mobile Crisis, available by dialing 211, and the Wellmore Urgent Crisis Center, located at 141 East Main Street, which is open 24/7 for walk-ins.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Waterbury Police Department Detective Bureau at (203) 574-6941 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (203) 755-1234.
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 subjectโs 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. Attorneyโs Office.