Crime
UNM Shooting suspect arrested in Los Lunas
LOS LUNAS, N.M. — The suspect involved in a fatal shooting on the University of New Mexico (UNM) campus has been taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Los Lunas, according to law enforcement officials.
The arrest follows a violent incident that occurred early Friday morning at the Casas del Rio student housing complex on the UNM campus.
The University of New Mexico Police Department (UNMPD) initially responded to reports of gunfire and discovered two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was transported for medical treatment with non-life-threatening injuries.
As a precaution, UNM officials issued an immediate campus lockdown and a shelter-in-place order, fearing the suspect may still have been in the vicinity.
The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) later assumed control of the investigation.
The shelter-in-place has since been lifted, though the crime scene remains active and under investigation.
Students residing in the Gila building, where the shooting is believed to have occurred on the second floor, reported hearing four to five gunshots shortly before midnight.
Several students described the incident as “one of the scariest experiences of their lives,” noting they witnessed people fleeing the building toward a nearby parking lot.
Throughout Friday, UNMPD conducted a staged, tactical evacuation of students from the impacted residence halls to ensure their safety.
Officials advised any remaining individuals on campus to stay in place unless directed otherwise by law enforcement.
According to the university’s website, new student orientation was underway at the time of the incident.
Additionally, freshman members of the UNM football team were staying on the fourth floor of the residence hall this summer.
At this time, authorities have not confirmed whether any UNM students—new or returning—were directly involved in the shooting.
Details regarding the identity of the suspect and victims have not been released.
The motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the UNM Police Department at (505) 277-2241 or Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-7867. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers app or through their website at www.crimestoppersnm.com.
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.