Criminal gang terrorises Dominican neighbourhood; blamed for killing of 16-year-old teenager
Residents of a Dominican sector live in fear of a suspected criminal organisation accused of murdering Juan Miguel De León, a 16-year-old youth, whilst his brother, younger than 12, pleaded for his life.
Criminal gang terrorises Dominican neighbourhood; blamed for killing of 16-year-old teenager
Residents of a sector in the Dominican capital are living in panic due to the actions of a suspected criminal gang which neighbours link to multiple homicides in the area, including that of a minor.
The case that has shocked the community is that of Juan Miguel De León, a 16-year-old teenager who was shot dead in the street. Surveillance footage recorded the moment when the youth attempted to escape from his pursuers, but after being hit by gunfire, he fell mortally wounded. Left at the scene was his little brother, just 12 years old, who threw himself in front of the attackers begging them not to take his life.
The family of the deceased, devastated by the loss, are demanding that authorities act with urgency. "We want justice, for God's sake", plead the relatives, who fear reprisals for having filed a complaint. "We are afraid that they will continue taking reprisals against us", they confess.
The inhabitants of the sector insist that insecurity has become unsustainable. "We don't want any more deaths. I have a 15-year-old boy and I wouldn't want anything to happen to him", recounts a neighbour. Another resident narrates in desperation: "They killed a boy of mine, and on Saturday they killed another one, and yesterday they killed my brother. You cannot live in a neighbourhood with this uncertainty. You just cannot. Something has to be done".
According to the testimonies gathered, the suspected gang members roam the streets armed and in a hostile manner, causing alarm amongst the population. The neighbours attribute several recent murders to this same criminal structure.
The National Police confirmed that the case is under investigation and that further details about progress will be provided in due course. Meanwhile, the community is calling for effective measures that will restore peace and allow them to travel their streets without fear of becoming victims of violence.
_Source: Univision_
Source: Google News DO — Crime