Family IDs Teens Found Dead In Central Islip, Claims Cousins Weren't Gang Members
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Family members have identified two more of the bodies found in a Central Islip park earlier this week.
As 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported, the two additional victims are Jefferson Villalobos, 18, and Michael Banegas, 18, according to family members.
Villalobos' had nothing to do with the community. He is from Florida, and was in the park hanging out with his cousin Banegas from Brentwood, when they were killed along with two others.
"Obviously, we're hurt. We're distraught in our hearts you know," Yency Fuentes said.
Fuentes is a cousin of Villalobos. She and her family were at the murder sight laying crosses and flowers on Friday. She said a friend who escaped told them about the attackers.
"A group of them came out with machetes and was yelling at them telling them to kneel down," she said.
She said Villalobos and Banegas were not gang members themselves, and said the attack may have been directed at someone else.
On Thursday, family members identified the other two victims as Jorge Tigre and Justin Llivicura.
Police said the killings look like the work of MS-13.
"The manner in which they were killed was consistent with the M.O. of MS-13." Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini said.
As CBS2's Jessica Borg reported, residents are in fear of more killings at the hands of the street gang.
"They don't care. There's no regard for human life," one resident said.
Fear for many residents in Suffolk County, that MS-13 will make their presence known in more Long Island communities.
"Like you have to walk around looking behind you wherever you go. I don't let my children walk anywhere," Nydia DeJesus said.
DeJesus keeps a close eye on her 16-year-old son. He's the same age as one of the four young men who were found dead.
"I hope it doesn't happen to anyone I know," she said.
Central Islip is just east of Brentwood, where two 16-year-old girls were found beaten to death in September. Subsequently, the bodies of three teen boys were found in the woods.
Investigators linked the murders to MS 13 gang members and arrested eight suspected gang members in March in connection with the brutal killings of Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas.
The girls were best friends who weren't gang members, but were targeted because one of them spoke out against the gang.
"These young people should not fall prey to these degenerates, very sick individuals," Gina Natale said.
She said she fears gang activity is spreading, and that more young people will be joining MS-13 either voluntarily or not.
"This is one of the reasons why people are moving out," she said.
The arrests last month provided comfort for residents who were outraged by gang activity creeping into schools.
The killings this week have created new concerns.
"I have a younger brother, and I'm concerned. Very scary," Tonianne DiStefano said.
Dianne Mantell said she worried the secluded portion fo the park would turn into a burial ground for MS-13 victims.
"It was bound to happen. It was just a matter of time," she said.
Suffolk County police said they're continuing to pour resources into cracking down on gang members, and are working with the FBI to help solve the latest cases.
Police have posted a $25,000 fast cash reward for tips that lead to an arrest in the latest killings.