A recent gang-related shooting in Herriman, Utah, has been linked to "Venezuelan groups," according to local authorities.
The suspect, a 19-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela, has been apprehended in connection with the incident.
As reported by The Post Millennial, the suspect, Alejandro Palmar Romero, was arrested following a shooting near the Emerson Apartments in Herriman on Sunday. This incident has raised concerns as it comes on the heels of reports about the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang operating in Colorado, a state bordering Utah. Herriman police have expressed their belief that the shooting is gang-related.
The incident led to one individual sustaining a bullet wound to the shoulder and a vehicle crashing through a fence. Herriman Police Sgt. Greg Shaver confirmed Romero's Venezuelan origin in a statement to KUTV. An affidavit from the case stated, Based on the statements from the victims and the evidence on their vehicle Alejandro was arrested on multiple charges," as per Gephardt Daily News. "Alejandro is an illegal alien and would likely flee the area if released."
The police were alerted to the situation on Sunday night following reports of shots fired at 11:30 pm. Upon arriving at the Emerson apartments, they discovered a vehicle crashed into a fence by a pool and three empty shell casings along with one live round in the parking lot.
According to police documents, Shortly after officers arrived, a male and a female came to the scene and claimed to be in the vehicle that crashed. The pair informed the police that they had been shot at by individuals in a white car. When questioned if anyone else was with them, they named Romero, who was subsequently apprehended. Witnesses reported seeing a man fleeing the scene in attire similar to what Romero was wearing when police located him.
The report further stated, Alejandro claimed that he was at his brothers girlfriends house and after leaving in a vehicle he was pursued by unknown people in a vehicle. That vehicle crashed into the back of the vehicle Alejandro was in, causing it to drive into the fence. Alejandro claimed he was afraid and ran from the scene." Romero insisted that "no one in his vehicle had a weapon or fired shots."
This incident follows widespread news coverage of Venezuelan gang activity in Aurora, Colorado, where members of Tren de Aragua (TDA) reportedly terrorized and took over an apartment complex. The gang has also allegedly seized control of an El Paso hotel. In New York City, TDA has reportedly been recruiting new members from migrant shelters, often threatening the families of other immigrants if they refuse to join the gang.
Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue in Idaho, Utahs northern neighbor, recently highlighted the gang's activities, stating that TDA has been tied to confirmed criminal activity in Utah and Colorado. This incident underscores the growing concern over illegal immigration and its potential links to criminal activity, a topic that continues to be a focal point in conservative discourse.
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