Crime
1 killed after shooting in Windham, suspect James Ford found dead
WINDHAM, Maine — Authorities have confirmed that suspect in a fatal shooting in North Windham, identified as James O. Ford, was found deceased following a large-scale search involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to officials, the incident occurred shortly before 2:00 p.m. on Friday along Route 302 near Landing Road in North Windham.
Officers from the Windham Police Department, assisted by the Maine State Police and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, responded to reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts administered by bystanders and first responders, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Investigators quickly identified James O. Ford as the primary suspect. Witness accounts led officers to believe that Ford fled the scene in a silver vehicle heading toward Raymond.
A short time later, police located the suspect’s vehicle in the parking lot of a Dunkin’ store in Raymond.
Maine State Police Major Lucas Hare stated that Ford was located shortly after the vehicle was found.
His cause of death has not yet been released, and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy in the coming days.
The incident prompted a shelter-in-place order for residents in Windham and Raymond at approximately 4:00 p.m.
Authorities also closed Route 302 at Landing Road for several hours, reopening it around 6:30 p.m. The shelter-in-place advisory was lifted shortly before a press conference held at 7:30 p.m. at the Windham Central Fire Station.
During the search, an Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) alert was issued stating:
“Gunman at large in North Windham. Shelter indoors, lock doors. Report suspicious behavior to 911. Last seen Windham/Raymond line. Stay inside. Tune to local news or Windham PD for updates.”
Officials later clarified that the alert had been mistakenly broadcast statewide instead of to the targeted affected area.
Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Additional information, including the identities of those involved, will be released once family members have been notified.
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.