Crime
Three Dead, Including Gunman, in Shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington
Lexington, KY – July 13, 2025 – Authorities have confirmed that at least three individuals, including the suspected gunman, are dead and multiple others injured following a violent series of events that culminated in a shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Lexington Police Department, in coordination with the Kentucky State Police (KSP), released further details Sunday afternoon regarding the ongoing investigation.
The incident began earlier in the day when a Kentucky State Trooper was shot by the suspect during an initial encounter around 11:36 a.m. in Fayette County.
The trooper sustained gunshot wounds and is currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
Following the initial shooting, the suspect fled and later arrived at Richmond Road Baptist Church. There, additional gunfire was reported, resulting in multiple civilian injuries.
Emergency Medical Services responded swiftly and provided on-site care to the victims before transporting them to local hospitals.
The identities and conditions of the civilian victims have not yet been publicly released.
The incident ended when law enforcement officers from the Lexington Police Department and KSP confronted the suspect at the church.
The suspect was fatally wounded during the encounter. It is unclear at this time whether the suspect died as a result of police action or a self-inflicted wound.
Officials have urged the public to remain patient as the investigation continues. “We are aware of a series of incidents in Lexington involving a single suspect, including the trooper-involved shooting and the tragic events at Richmond Road Baptist Church,” stated a spokesperson for KSP.
“We ask for continued prayers for all those affected and express our gratitude to the swift and coordinated response of our officers and first responders.”
The scene at the church remains active as investigators work to process evidence and determine a motive.
KSP has confirmed that additional updates will be released as more information becomes available.
This is a developing story.
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.