Crime
Innocent Bystander Killed in Over-the-Rhine Drive-By Shooting
Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood that claimed the life of an innocent bystander late Wednesday night.
According to the Cincinnati Police Department, officers responded to the 1600 block of Republic Street shortly after a ShotSpotter alert was triggered.
Upon arrival, officers located a female victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the back.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Chrissy Jones, also known as Bhrissy Jones.
Investigators believe Jones was walking near the intersection of Green and Vine streets when a suspect fired approximately 15 rounds from a passing vehicle, striking her.
Officials confirmed that she was not the intended target of the shooting.
Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public. At this time, no suspect information has been released.
Authorities are interviewing a witness and continuing to gather evidence as the investigation remains active.
Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact Cincinnati police.
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.