Crime
Cruel Hoax active shooter alert at Villanova University
UPDATE: Active shooter alert at Villanova was the result of a ‘cruel hoax,’ university president says
VILLANOVA, Pa. — Authorities and campus officials are responding to reports of a possible active shooter incident at Villanova University, prompting an immediate shelter-in-place order for students and staff during freshmen orientation class of 2029.
Late Thursday afternoon, the university issued an emergency alert instructing students to lock and barricade doors, remain inside secure locations, and avoid the area around the Charles Widger School of Law at Scarpa Hall.
Multiple individuals on campus reported hearing gunfire, which led to students and faculty rushing into nearby buildings and taking cover under desks as the situation unfolded.
County law enforcement sources confirmed they are monitoring the incident and noted they have received information suggesting there may be a possible gunshot victim, though no injuries have been officially confirmed at this time.
University officials emphasized that safety remains the top priority and urged the community to continue following emergency protocols until an all-clear is issued.
The investigation remains active, and additional information will be provided as it 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.