ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Even in the violent world of the MS-13 street gang, the killings in northern Virginia in the summer of 2019 stood out. In that year, “the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area became an MS-13 hunting ground,” in the words of prosecutors.
Law enforcement had become accustomed to MS-13 killings involving rival gang members, or ones in which MS-13 members themselves became victims when suspicions arose that they were cooperating with police. What was new, prosecutors say, was that victims were chosen at random, with no connection to MS-13 or any other gang.
On Tuesday, gang leader Melvin Canales Saldana, whose orders set off the killings, was sentenced to life in prison, as was another gang member convicted of carrying out one of them. A third member was sentenced to 14 years in prison after he was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder but was acquitted of carrying out the killing himself.
Grant Shapps vows he WILL find more planes for mass parachute drop to mark 80th anniversary of D
Across China: Volkswagen Anhui rolls out targeted strategy to meet booming Chinese NEV market
China sees improvements in logistics flow
Xi Focus: A Sports Fan Championing Exchanges and Fitness for All
Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova reveals she doesn't know if she's on the show's 2024 line
China hits out at regional 'small circles'
Xinhua Headlines: Xi Stresses Building Beautiful China, Advancing Modernization Featuring Human
Rishi Sunak to apologise for worst treatment disaster in NHS history
'Taiwan Relations Act' illegal and invalid, says mainland spokeswoman
JoJo Siwa goes wild: Karma singer accused of getting drunk at Disney World after turning 21
Xiplomacy: China, Algeria Mark Anniversary of Ties with Eyes on Stronger Partnership