Crime
Martin Louis Gordon Fatally Stabbed Outside Helms College in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred late Sunday night outside the Village West Shopping Center on Washington Road, near the Helms College campus.
According to authorities, deputies were dispatched to the location at approximately 11:09 p.m. on October 13 in response to reports of an unresponsive individual.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, 30-year-old Martin Louis Gordon of Grovetown, suffering from at least one stab wound.
Despite immediate emergency response, Gordon succumbed to his injuries at the scene and was pronounced deceased at 11:35 p.m. by Deputy Coroner Kenneth Boose.
Investigators believe the stabbing occurred outside the Helms College School of Trades building, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Authorities have released an image of a suspect wanted in connection with Gordon’s murder, describing the individual as armed and dangerous.
Law enforcement urges anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity or whereabouts to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 821-1020 or (706) 821-1080.
In response to the tragedy, Helms College issued a statement expressing sorrow over the loss of one of its students and confirming its cooperation with investigators.
“A tragic incident occurred late Monday evening outside the Helms College School of Trades building on our Augusta campus. Local law enforcement responded and is leading the investigation. We are fully cooperating with their efforts,” the statement read.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our HVAC students, identified publicly by authorities as 30-year-old Martin Louis Gordon of Grovetown. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, classmates, and instructors during this difficult time.”
The college also noted that student support services have been activated, with counseling staff, administrators, and the campus chaplain available to assist students and employees affected by the incident.
“Our priority is the well-being of our students and employees,” the statement continued. “We have enhanced our campus security measures and are working closely with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office while the investigation continues.”
Family members describe Martin Louis Gordon as a devoted father and hardworking student who had recently moved from Maryland to Grovetown in January to build a better life for his two children — an 8-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son.
Determined to maintain his perfect attendance record, Gordon reportedly attended class on Monday night despite facing transportation issues. When his brother arrived to pick him up nearly an hour after class had ended, he found Martin fatally wounded outside the school.
“Somebody just walked up to him and started stabbing him,” said Gordon’s sister-in-law. “He was not a confrontational guy at all.”
The family said they plan to tell his children about the tragedy after school on Tuesday, hoping to give them “one more day” before breaking the devastating news.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the killing, urging anyone with information to come forward as the search for the suspect intensifies.
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.