Fatal migrant gang stabbing leaves one teen dead
New York police are currently investigating a tragic incident that occurred in Lower Manhattan, resulting in the death of a teenage immigrant and the injury of another. The stabbing incident is believed to have stemmed from a dispute between rival migrant gangs that have taken control of several New York City-run migrant hotels in the neighborhood, as reported by local news channel ABC7 NY.
The victims, both teenage migrants associated with a Venezuelan gang known as “Los Diablos de la 42” (the devils of 42nd Street), were ambushed by three unidentified assailants at 7:43 p.m. on December 5. The deceased victim, 17-year-old Yeremi Colino, was residing in the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, which serves as a migrant shelter funded by the City of New York. Colino sustained a fatal stab wound to the chest and succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital after emergency services were alerted by a bystander.
The second victim, an 18-year-old migrant named Alan Magalles Bello, was stabbed in the arm with a screwdriver but is expected to recover from his injuries. The perpetrators, who were wearing COVID masks, were captured on surveillance footage, although no arrests have been made by the authorities as of yet.
Initially, the incident was being probed as a hate crime, with early reports suggesting that the attackers targeted the victims based on their proficiency in English. Several Democratic officials swiftly condemned the assault as racially motivated. Congressman Dan Goldman, representing parts of Manhattan, denounced the violence as “racist” and emphasized the need for the perpetrators to face legal consequences.
However, subsequent video evidence indicated that the altercation escalated due to a confrontation over gang-related gestures rather than language barriers. The footage captured the victims questioning the assailants about their gang signs, triggering a physical altercation that resulted in Colino’s tragic death and Bello’s injuries.
Both victims were reportedly affiliated with the “Diablos de la 42” gang, which has links to the Venezuelan terrorist organization “Tren de Aragua.” The suspects are believed to be members of a Caribbean migrant gang, as per ABC7 NY. New York Police Department Detective Bureau Assistant Chief Jason Savino revealed that the Diablos gang has issued statements mourning Colino’s loss and pledging retaliation against the Caribbean gang involved in the incident.
As investigations continue into this harrowing incident, the community mourns the loss of a young life and hopes for justice to be served. The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by migrant populations in urban settings.
