Crime
Suspect who killed Romeca Meeks identified as Holly Johnson
CHICAGO — A woman fatally shot Monday morning in the South Loop has been identified as 31-year-old Romeca Meeks, while police have identified the alleged shooter as Holly Johnson, who remains in custody.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), officers responded around 9:35 a.m. on September 8, 2025, to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire near Cermak Road and State Street.
When officers arrived, they found Meeks lying in the street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to her chin and thigh.
She was transported to Stroger Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators said the shooting followed a physical altercation between Meeks and Johnson, who allegedly claimed to possess a valid concealed carry license.
During the dispute, Johnson is accused of pulling out a firearm and shooting Meeks multiple times.
Police said Johnson remained at the scene, where her weapon was recovered, and she was immediately taken into custody.
Family members shared that Meeks had just dropped off her young son at school and was on her way to work at the time of the incident.
Witnesses also alleged that Meeks’ child’s father, Carlos “Losos” Way—who is reportedly subject to an active restraining order—was present during the altercation and placed Meeks in a headlock.
In those moments, Johnson allegedly drew her firearm and fatally shot Meeks at close range.
“Her cousin spoke with Channel2 NOW, stating: ‘This is my cousin, and what’s being reported is not accurate. He was physically fighting my cousin when his girlfriend got out of the car and shot her. This was not an act of self-defense, and Romeca was not fighting over him.’”
The Chicago Police Department confirmed that Area Three Detectives are handling the investigation.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the exact circumstances leading up to the altercation.
Meeks’ family has asked the public to respect their privacy and to refrain from sharing graphic videos of the incident that have circulated online.
Her sister issued a public plea for such footage to be removed out of respect for the victim and her loved ones.
Anyone with information about this homicide is urged to contact the CPD 1st District at (312) 745-4290 or submit tips anonymously at CPDTIP.com.
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.