Crime
Reports of shooting at Walmart in Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, AK — Authorities are investigating a reported shooting at the Walmart located at 3101 A Street in Anchorage.
According to preliminary reports from Samdesk and local law enforcement, multiple gunshots were fired inside the store, prompting a large-scale police response.
Officers armed with long guns entered the building to clear the area and ensure the safety of customers and employees.
The entire store was evacuated as officers and investigators began working to confirm the identity of the alleged shooter and determine whether there are any victims.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing several shots, followed by people running for cover as police arrived.
At least one individual was seen being transported on a stretcher by emergency medical personnel, though the extent of injuries has not yet been confirmed.
Anchorage Police have secured the perimeter around the Walmart and are urging residents to avoid the area while the investigation remains active.
Authorities have not yet released information regarding a possible suspect or motive.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
Further updates will be provided by Anchorage Police as more information becomes available.
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.