Crime
Victims killed in shooting at Starkville Quality Inn identified
Both victims were transported to OCH Regional Medical Center, where they succumbed to their injuries.
Starkville, MS — Two men were fatally shot Thursday morning in a violent altercation outside the Quality Inn, located at 403 MS-12.
The victims have been identified as Veshawn Williams, 25, of Columbus, and Robert Mayfield, 27, of Memphis.
According to the Starkville Police Department (SPD), the incident involved three individuals: a woman, her boyfriend, Williams, and her cousin, Mayfield.
Officials later confirmed that Williams was wanted by the Columbus Police Department on charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault. The woman’s identity has not been released.
Authorities received multiple 911 calls at 11:04 a.m. reporting a shooting at the Quality Inn.
Upon arrival, officers discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds—one in the hotel parking lot and the other nearby at State Urgent Care.
Both victims were transported to OCH Regional Medical Center, where they succumbed to their injuries.
At a press conference, Sgt. Brandon Lovelady of the Starkville Police Department provided a timeline of events based on witness statements and security footage.
“At the time of the incident, all three individuals were inside a vehicle parked behind the Quality Inn,” Lovelady explained.
Williams, who was seated in the rear of the vehicle, exited and opened the front passenger door, where the woman was sitting.
Mayfield, who was driving, then got out and approached Williams on the passenger side, leading to a brief physical altercation between the three.
Mayfield then returned to the driver’s seat and attempted to drive away, leaving Williams outside the vehicle.
As the vehicle pulled away, Williams and Mayfield exchanged gunfire, with both sustaining fatal injuries.
Mayfield managed to drive to State Urgent Care, seeking medical assistance, while Williams remained behind the Quality Inn.
SPD confirmed that the woman involved was not injured during the shooting.
Authorities are working in coordination with the Columbus Police Department to establish a full timeline of events and determine how the individuals arrived in Starkville.
Sgt. Lovelady also addressed initial reports of an active shooter, clarifying that such rumors were false.
“Again, an argument escalated into gunfire,” Lovelady stated. “Initial reports suggested an active shooter situation, but those claims were later determined to be incorrect.”
The Starkville Police Department expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the community and the assistance of multiple agencies, including:
- State Urgent Care staff
- Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office
- Starkville Fire Department
- EMS personnel & 911 dispatchers
Authorities have not disclosed whether any charges will be filed, and the investigation remains ongoing. Further updates will be provided as additional 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.