police mark the perimeter of a crime scene as investigators work the scene of an officer-involved shooting September 9, 2012. (Photo for USA Today by Brett T. Roseman) 9/10/12 12:19:01 AM -- Chicago , IL -- THIS IS FOR A 1A COVER Chicago enduring a plague of homicides It seems to happen almost every weekend in President Obama's home town. Gunfire erupts, and young men die. While homicide rates in most major cities are flat or declining, Chicago is enduring an epidemic. A toxic mix of gangs, drugs and guns is responsible. On one recent weekend, there were nine shooting deaths and 28 more people wounded. On a recent Thursday, 13 people were shot and wounded in a 30-minute spate of violence, including eight gunned down on a single street. The police superintendent says some of the shootings were retaliation for crimes committed as long as a year ago. Mayor Emanuel Rahm says the ?culture of silence? is part of the problem. Police have suspended almost 80% of their investigations into non-fatal shootings because suspects won?t cooperate. Besides the experts and community activists and people like Rudy Giuliani, who really did turn things around in NYC, we'll talk to pastors and others who live and work in the most-affected neighborhoods. Recently there was a rash of shootings in a neighborhood called South Shore. It?s poor and mostly black, as are all the neighborhoods that are hardest hit. Cops call the area ?terror town? and say it?s a hotbed of gang violence. -- Photo by Brett T. Roseman, Freelance ORG XMIT: BR 42369 Chicago murder c 9/10/2 (Via OlyDrop) Xxx Chicago Murder Capital07 Jpg Il
Los Angeles, California – Federal authorities have charged three alleged members of the violent MS-13 street gang in connection with the February murder of a former gang member who was cooperating with law enforcement, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday.
Dennis Anaya Urias, 26, and Grevil Zelaya Santiago, 25, both of South Los Angeles, and Roberto Carlos Aguilar, 30, also of South Los Angeles, are accused of murdering the former MS-13 member in retaliation for his cooperation with federal authorities in a racketeering and methamphetamine trafficking case.
The men are charged with murder in aid of racketeering, a federal offense that carries a mandatory life sentence and the potential for the death penalty.
Aguilar is an undocumented immigrant who entered the country illegally from El Salvador, while Urias is a legal permanent resident and Santiago has a pending visa application. All three suspects appeared in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles late Thursday and were ordered held without bond. Their arraignments are set for June 3.
According to affidavits filed with the criminal complaints, Urias and Santiago fatally shot the victim outside a South Los Angeles grocery store on February 18. Prosecutors say the killing was ordered under MS-13’s so-called “green light” directive, which targets individuals marked for death — particularly those seen as cooperating with law enforcement.
Roughly one hour before the murder, the victim reportedly had a brief encounter with Aguilar inside the grocery store. Investigators allege Aguilar then coordinated with Urias and Santiago to carry out the murder.
Court documents reveal that on the night of the killing, the victim made two frantic calls to authorities, reporting that MS-13 members had tried to kill him. During one call, the victim claimed a masked man attempted to shoot him but the weapon misfired. Gunshots were later heard during the second call, just before the victim was found dead.
Federal prosecutors allege that by murdering the informant, the defendants enhanced their standing within the gang or avoided internal discipline.
“These charges reflect our unwavering commitment to dismantling violent transnational gangs like MS-13 and protecting those who courageously assist law enforcement,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
The FBI and Los Angeles Police Department are jointly investigating the case, which falls under Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
