Six members of the MS-13 street gang allegedly murdered three New York teenagers with a machete and a baseball bat.
A 34-page indictment shows Alexi and Jairo (Funny) Saenz, Selvin (Flash) Chavez, and Enrique (Turkey) Portillo were charged with a double homicide, the New York Daily News reported.
Students Nisa Mickens, 15, and Kayla Cuevas, 16, were killed on September 13, 2016, after Cuevas got involved in a dispute with MS-13 members at Brentwood High School, according to the indictment.
The suspects were looking for rivals to kill when they spotted the two teens walking down the street.
The Saenz brothers reportedly gave the green light for the attack, while Chavez, Portillo, and two juveniles connected with MS-13 beat the girls with bats and a machete.
“(It) was a dark day for all of us, but for Nisa’s and Kayla’s loved ones it was an unspeakable nightmare,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini. “Although we are keenly aware that nothing will ever undo the heartbreaking loss of Nisa and Kayla, we can take solace in the fact that their savage murderers will be held accountable.”
Authorities charged thirteen MS-13 members with racketeering, murder, attempted murder, assault, obstruction of justice, arson, and other charges in the 41-count indictment.
Officials say the suspects came from a part of the MS-13 gang that came to Long Island from El Salvador, WABC reported.
Authorities say a warrant executed at the Saenz brothers’ home found guns, knives, ammunition, and a sword.
Elmer Alexander (Smiley) Lopez and German (Bad Boy) Cruz were charged with murdering 18-year-old MS-13 member Jose Pena.
Pena’s remains were found near the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center in Brentwood in October, four months after he disappeared.
Fox News reports that ten of the suspects are illegal immigrants, two are U.S. citizens, and one is a green card holder.