Crime
1 dead, 6 injured after shooting at Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass
EAGLE PASS, Texas — Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred just after midnight Sunday at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass.
A confidential law enforcement source confirmed that one person was pronounced dead and six others were injured as of 12:45 a.m.
At least three victims in critical condition were expected to be airlifted to a San Antonio hospital for advanced treatment.
Preliminary reports indicate the incident may have been a drive-by shooting.
Witnesses told investigators that the shots were fired from a black Nissan pickup truck, which sped away immediately after the gunfire erupted in the casino’s parking lot.
A possible suspect description was circulated to law enforcement: a man wearing a black hat, jeans, and a camouflage shirt.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the shooter is still at large.
Local police, Tribal Police, and federal agencies—including the FBI—responded quickly to the scene.
Images posted on social media shortly after midnight showed a heavy law enforcement presence in and around the casino complex.
The Eagle Pass Police Department confirmed at 12:45 a.m. that it was assisting Tribal Police with what it described as an “active investigation”, urging the public to avoid the area until the situation was under control.
Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu confirmed the preliminary casualty figures, citing updates he received directly from the sheriff’s office.
Eagle Pass Mayor Aaron Valdez released a statement on Facebook, saying he was “deeply saddened by the tragic events” and expressing condolences to the victims and their families.
“I want to assure the people of Eagle Pass that our city is in close coordination with Tribal Police, EPPD, and other law enforcement agencies to support their investigation, maintain security, and ensure those responsible are found and brought to justice,” Valdez wrote.
The FBI and local authorities are actively searching the Eagle Pass area, including nearby motels and restaurants, for any trace of the suspects.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and it is not yet known what led to the gunfire outside the casino.
Officials emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages and that additional updates will be released as more information becomes available.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Eagle Pass Police Department or Tribal Police immediately.
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.