Crime
31-Year-Old Romeca Meeks Fatally Shot in Chicago Chinatown Neighborhood on West Cermak Road
CHICAGO — A woman fatally shot in the Chinatown neighborhood Monday morning has been identified by family members as 31-year-old Romeca Meeks.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), officers responded around 9:35 a.m. on September 8, 2025, to reports of a person shot near Cermak Road and State Street.
Upon arrival, officers located Meeks lying in the street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to the chin and thigh.
She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
Investigators said the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between Meeks and another female individual, who told police she possessed a valid concealed carry license.
During the altercation, the woman allegedly produced a firearm and shot Meeks multiple times.
The suspect remained at the scene, where CPD officers recovered her weapon and took her into custody.
Family members shared that Meeks had just dropped her young son off at school and was on her way to work at the time of the incident.
Witnesses at the scene also alleged that the child’s father, identified as Carlos “Los” Way, who is reportedly subject to an active restraining order, appeared during the dispute and physically restrained Meeks in a headlock.
In those moments, the suspect allegedly opened fire, striking Meeks at close range.
Chicago Police confirmed Area Detectives are leading the investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to submit tips anonymously at CPDTIP.com or call the CPD 1st District at (312) 745-4290.
Meeks’ family has pleaded with the public to refrain from circulating videos of the aftermath of the shooting, urging respect and privacy during this time of grief.
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.