Four Murdered on Long Island Likely MS-13 Gang Killings, Say Police

UPDATE: The four men have been identified by police as: Jorge Tigre, 18, of Bellport, N.Y., Justin LLivicura, 16, of East Patchogue, N.Y., Jefferson Villalobos, 18, of Pompano Beach, Florida, and Michael Lopez Banegas, 20, of Brentwood, N.Y.

NEW YORK—Suffolk County Police are looking for suspects after four bodies were found in Central Islip on April 12.

The four victims’ identities have not been released, but Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini said they are all males—one is aged 16, two are 18, and one is 20.

“They all suffered from significant trauma throughout their body,” Sini said in a press conference on April 13. “It appears they were killed with a sharp or edged instrument.”

Sini said the four were killed in one incident and the murders happened within the last few days—although he declined to release more exact details.

The bodies were found in a park bordered by Clayton Street and Lowell Avenue, ten minutes drive from the center of Brentwood.

Sini confirmed that the manner in which the young men were killed “is consistent with the modus operandi of MS-13.”

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“Although we have not ruled out any possibilities at this point,” he added.

Sini said the the department, in partnership with Suffolk County Crime Stoppers, is posting a $25,000 “fast cash reward” for any information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrator or perpetrators of the murders.

The fast cash reward is paid out within 48 hours of an arrest.

The tip line number is 1-800-220-TIPS [8477]

Growing Violence

Suffolk County is beleaguered by violence from MS-13.

Last month, 13 MS-13 gang members from the Brentwood area were arrested and charged with seven murders, as well as an attempted murder and two assaults. Drugs, racketeering, arson, and firearms charges make up the remainder of the 41 charges the defendants face.

Since 2010, MS-13 members have been charged with more than 35 murders in the Eastern District of New York.