Crime
Curtis James Named Suspect in Deadly Shooting at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula
PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Authorities have identified the suspect in Friday morning’s deadly shooting at Ingalls Shipbuilding as Curtis James of Mobile.
The Pascagoula Police Department confirmed that officers were dispatched to the shipyard at approximately 7:32 a.m. on August 22, 2025, after receiving reports of an active shooter on site.
When officers arrived, they discovered one victim, described as a painter employed at the facility, who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
A spokesperson for Ingalls Shipbuilding confirmed the active shooter situation, stating: “We are urging all personnel to shelter in place and to await further instructions. Law enforcement was promptly notified and is currently at the shipyard and responding to the situation.”
By mid-morning, police announced that James had been taken into custody without further incident.
Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in securing the shipyard, which remained on lockdown for several hours while first responders worked to ensure safety.
Investigators have since linked the shipyard shooting to a domestic-related incident.
According to police, James’ wife was found deceased at a residence earlier Friday morning, with evidence indicating she had been killed the previous night.
Authorities believe James then targeted the man fatally shot at Ingalls, who was allegedly involved in a relationship with his wife.
The identities of the deceased victims are being withheld pending notification of their families.
Police emphasized that this was an isolated act of violence and that there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
HII, the parent company of Ingalls Shipbuilding, released a statement expressing condolences and reaffirming its commitment to employee safety: “We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our employees and are fully cooperating with law enforcement as this investigation continues.”
Ingalls Shipbuilding, located in Pascagoula, is the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and the primary builder of U.S. Navy surface combatants and Coast Guard vessels.
The investigation into both the homicide and the shipyard shooting remains ongoing.
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.