Crime
Two Pennsylvania State Troopers Hospitalized, Suspect Killed in Susquehanna County Shooting
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, Pa. — Two Pennsylvania State Troopers were seriously injured, a civilian was killed, and the suspect was fatally shot during a violent incident late Thursday morning in Susquehanna County.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins were dispatched around 11:00 a.m. to conduct a welfare check along Route 171 in Thompson Township.
Upon arrival, they were immediately met with gunfire from a suspect armed with a rifle.
Both troopers sustained serious injuries in the exchange of gunfire.
Emergency medical crews responded quickly, and the injured troopers were airlifted to a hospital.
As of Thursday evening, both remain in stable condition.
The suspect was shot and killed at the scene by law enforcement.
His identity has not yet been released, and the circumstances leading to the confrontation remain under investigation.
Lori Wasko, a resident of the area, was also shot and killed during the incident.
According to her neighbor, Nikki Creps, Kelsey was a deeply loved member of the community. Creps expressed frustration over her death, stating that the suspect — described as a troubled individual — should have been in custody weeks earlier in connection with a previous home invasion.
Witness Dave E. Carr Jr. reported that a bullet narrowly missed his head as he saw troopers come under heavy fire, with multiple patrol vehicles struck by gunfire.
Carr was not injured.
Governor Josh Shapiro, speaking during a scheduled event in Bucks County, confirmed the shooting and later traveled to Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton to visit Trooper Perechinsky.
The governor commended Perechinsky for his heroic actions, noting that he saved multiple lives during the incident, including that of his partner, Trooper Jenkins.
Shapiro said Perechinsky is in good spirits and surrounded by family as he recovers.
He also confirmed plans to visit Trooper Jenkins, though the hospital where Jenkins is receiving treatment has not yet been disclosed.
A press briefing with further details is expected to be held later Thursday evening at the Pennsylvania State Police Barracks in Dunmore.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue processing the scene and collecting evidence.
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.