Crime
Seattle Pioneer Square Mass Shooting Victims Identified
SEATTLE, WA — The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has officially identified the three individuals who were fatally shot during a mass shooting in Seattle’s Pioneer Square early Saturday morning.
The violent incident, which occurred in the heart of the historic downtown district, has left the community shaken and authorities actively pursuing leads.
According to the Seattle Police Department, officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire just after 1 a.m. on May 17 in the area of 2nd Avenue South and South Main Street, near the Seattle Fire Department Headquarters.
Upon arrival, officers discovered four gunshot victims. Two men and one woman were pronounced dead at the scene, while a fourth victim survived and is currently recovering.
On Monday, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO) identified the deceased as:
- Keilani Renae Harris, 19, of Seattle
- Briaun Keith Dinish-Lomelli, 27, of Seattle
- August Alfred Lastrappe, 24, of Seattle
All three victims died from multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death for each was ruled homicide.
At this time, authorities have not determined what precipitated the shooting, and no arrests have been made. The Seattle Police Department continues to investigate and is urging the public for assistance.
Investigators are particularly interested in locating the driver of a black Tesla, possibly a Model Y, that was observed driving through Pioneer Square around the time of the shooting.
Police believe the vehicle’s onboard cameras may have captured crucial footage of the incident or individuals involved.
“We know that these vehicles are equipped with video evidence and that they write over very quickly,” said Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. “It’s important to get that information out now before it’s lost.”
Anyone with information related to the shooting or who may have been in the area is urged to contact the Seattle Police Department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may remain anonymous.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to identify suspects and piece together what led to one of Seattle’s most tragic acts of gun violence in recent months.
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.