Two Venezuelan nationals with alleged gang ties have been apprehended in connection with a mass shooting in Chicago that left three people dead and five injured last December. The shooting occurred at a birthday party in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, according to a report by CBS News Chicago. Victims ranged between 20 and 35 years old, and among the deceased were Jon Carlos Blancarcer, 28, Hector Sajo, 26, and Osmer Angel Ferrer Oria, 32.
ICE identified the alleged perpetrators as Edward Martinez Cermeno, 24, and Ricardo Granadillo Padilla, 25, both of whom are believed to have connections with the Tres de Aragua gang. Martinez Cermeno was initially taken into custody on January 26 in Schaumburg and subsequently released, but later faced re-arrest on immigration charges. Granadillo Padilla was arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina, on February 8, where law enforcement seized a pistol, ammunition, and other items. This follows a January raid in Chicago where guns, narcotics, and fake documents were discovered, as noted by ICE's statement.
While details on the motives behind the mass shooting remain undisclosed, the connection to the Tren de Aragua gang adds a layer of complexity to the criminal case. Both Martinez Cermeno and Granadillo Padilla are being held on federal charges related to illegal entry into the United States. Padilla’s incarceration follows a sentencing for a 2022 entry near El Paso, Texas, while Martinez Cermeno faces charges for his alleged 2023 illegal entry near Eagle Pass, Texas, as per ICE. The public can report crimes or suspicious activity by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting a tip online.
