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.
FCC fines wireless carriers for sharing user locations without consent
Game on for tourism bureaus across China after Harbin travel frenzy
Atletico dealt Depay injury blow for Dortmund clash
Liaoning withstand Shanxi rally to win in OT
South African boxer Dingaan Thobela, 'The Rose of Soweto,' dies aged 57
China's Shenzhen opens new air route to Amsterdam
Guardiola reveals fresh Man City injury blow
70 countries, regions to participate in int'l travel trade fair in SW China
Queen Mary and King Frederik are caught in a royal Photoshop row
'Village Super League' draws global football enthusiasts
PGA Tour goes to Dallas for same course and new title. LIV Golf plays in Singapore
Ancelotti calls for courage, personality vs. Man City