Crime
6-Year-Old Child Killed After Shooting on Milwaukee Northwest Side
MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee police have taken three individuals into custody in connection with the tragic shooting death of a 6-year-old boy on Tuesday night, April 1, 2025. The child, identified by family members as Da’quel Collins, was killed just two days before his seventh birthday.
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunfire around 9:30 p.m. in the 4200 block of North 51st Boulevard, located on the city’s northwest side near the Academy of Excellence – North Campus.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Collins suffering from gunshot injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police announced on Friday that three individuals had been arrested in connection with the shooting: a 21-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman, and a 26-year-old woman.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation, and authorities have not yet specified the role each suspect may have played.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office will review the case and determine formal charges.
Family, friends, and community members gathered Friday evening to hold a vigil in memory of Da’quel, honoring his short life with candles, prayers, and balloons.
The tragedy has deeply shaken the community and reignited concerns about gun safety and violence involving children.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson issued a statement following the incident:
“I am enormously saddened by the death of the six-year-old last evening. I offer my condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragedy. Let’s be clear, guns must never be used or left unattended around children. Adults must take every precaution to protect young people, and that includes locking guns, storing firearms safely, and always keeping weapons out of the reach of children. I know police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, and I am hopeful the appropriate people will be held to account.”
Authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Milwaukee Police or Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS.
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.