Crime
Mass Casualty Incident Declared at Black Bike Week Concert in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina
ATLANTIC BEACH, SC — Emergency officials have declared a mass casualty incident following a chaotic event during a concert at Black Bike Week in Atlantic Beach on Saturday night.
The annual event, which draws thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts—primarily from the Black community—turned into a scene of crisis as multiple individuals sustained injuries under still-unclear circumstances.
According to emergency responders, 10 victims have been transported to area hospitals for treatment.
The types and severity of injuries are not yet confirmed, and authorities have not released information on the exact cause of the incident.
It is also unclear if the injuries were caused by violence, a structural issue, crowd surge, or another factor.
Local emergency medical services (EMS) are continuing to operate on scene, and North Strand and Grand Strand hospitals have been placed on diversion or near-diversion status due to the sudden influx of patients.
This means those facilities are either temporarily redirecting incoming patients or nearing capacity.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as concertgoers scrambled for safety and emergency crews rushed to provide medical aid.
Videos and images circulating on social media show large crowds and multiple ambulances arriving at the concert venue.
The incident occurred during one of the major events of Black Bike Week, a Memorial Day weekend tradition in Atlantic Beach that has drawn participants for decades.
The situation remains fluid, and investigators are working to determine what triggered the emergency.
Local and state authorities are urging the public to avoid the area as first responders continue to manage the scene.
Further updates will be provided as more details become available.
Anyone with information or video footage related to the incident is encouraged to contact Atlantic Beach Public Safety or Horry County Emergency Management.
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.