Last month's drive-by shooting and subsequent weapons assault in Union County have led to multiple arrests in a case that highlights the disturbing trend of youth gang violence. The events began when Union County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives were dispatched to a scene on Morning Glory Drive after a sedan was found riddled with bullets, and nearby mobile home collateral damage, though no physical injuries were reported. This frightening incident, according to a statement by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, involved two local gangs known to consist of juveniles and young adults.
The investigation quickly escalated when, just one day post the shooting, a sixteen-year-old male arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound which detectives confirmed linked him to the previous day's violence. Throughout an intensive probe, law enforcement determined the both connected the drive-by and the weapons assault to an ongoing gang dispute. Five individuals, comprising three adults and two juveniles, have now been charged in connection with these crimes, announced Sheriff Eddie Cathey in a press release.
"The level of violence we’ve seen in these incidents is deeply troubling," "We’re dealing with young people who are making dangerous decisions that put entire families at risk," Sheriff Eddie Cathey explained as per the Union County Sheriff’s Office website. The charged individuals reside in custody, with bonds set at high amounts reflecting the gravity of the offenses, which include felony attempted murder and felony discharging a weapon into occupied property. Yair Avalos, one of the adults, faces a secured bond of $500,000, while juvenile detainees have been processed through the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Oscar Gonzalez-Capote and Altagracia Juarez-Melchor, the remaining adults implicated, are confronted with similar charges—each with an attempt to seemingly eliminate their targets, and they remain in custody under secured bonds above half a million dollars. The Union County Sheriff’s Office is actively seeking further information from the public that might assist in this ongoing investigation, encouraging anyone with relevant tips to reach out through various channels, including their website and a dedicated smartphone app.
