Crime
Victim killed in shooting at Wegmans Warehouse identified as Jmere Smith
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Authorities have identified the victim fatally shot at the Wegmans Warehouse in Gates as 20-something-year-old Jmere Smith.
The deadly shooting occurred late Saturday afternoon and is currently under active investigation.
According to Gates Police Chief Robert Long, officers responded to the Wegmans Distribution Center located at 1500 Brooks Avenue around 4:15 p.m. following reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, law enforcement found the victim, later identified as Jmere Smith, suffering from three gunshot wounds to the chest at close range.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by responding medical personnel.
The suspect fled the area before police arrived. Authorities have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the surrounding area or nearby businesses.
The incident prompted a coordinated response involving the Gates Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, and Greece Police Department.
Chief Long noted that, at this time, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and no arrests have been made.
Investigators do not believe the shooting is related to a separate incident that took place Friday outside an Amazon Distribution Center, also located in Gates.
The suspect’s identity has not been released, and authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation.
Individuals with relevant details are asked to contact 911 or reach out anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
The Gates Police Department continues to lead the investigation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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.