Violent Venezuelan Gang Member Arrested in US After Fatal Shootings

A prominent member of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has been apprehended in connection with the suspected murders of two women in Illinois earlier this year. Ricardo Gonzales, 32, was detained in Cobb County, Georgia through a joint operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Chicago Police Department, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the Department of Justice.

Gonzales' Alleged Crimes

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, "This defendant's crimes against American women are horrific, and he is exactly the type of Alien Enemy the Trump administration is fighting to remove from this country in order to make America safe again." Gonzales was wanted on an arrest warrant for suspected kidnapping and was believed to be involved in two counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Prosecutors allege that on January 28, Gonzales kidnapped three women, transported them to an alley in Chicago, and shot them in the head. The surviving victim reportedly managed to call 911, and tragically, two of the women were pronounced dead at the scene.

Awaiting Extradition and Additional Arrests

Gonzales was subsequently booked into the Cobb County Jail and is currently awaiting extradition to Chicago. During the crackdown on Gonzales, five other individuals were arrested and transported to ICE detention facilities.

Efforts of Law Enforcement Agencies

Mark Pittella, acting director of the U.S. Marshal Service, praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, stating, "This case is a reflection of the tireless work the U.S. Marshal Service and partnering agencies put in to make sure justice has its day in court. Every arrest contributes to safer communities and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the public."

Resumption of Deportation Flights to Venezuela

Gonzales' arrest comes shortly before the U.S. resumed deportation flights to Venezuela, following an agreement between President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Reports indicate that a flight carrying 199 illegal Venezuelan aliens, including members of Tren de Aragua, departed the U.S. en route to Honduras for an apparent hand-off to the Venezuelan government, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This flight marked the conclusion of a weeks-long standoff between the Trump administration and Maduro, who had initially refused acceptance of deportees from the U.S.