Illegal arrested for shooting was in jail 6 months

The illegal immigrant accused in the August sniper shootings that struck several vehicles on Beacon Street spent nearly six months in the county jail under a false name and was not flagged because of outdated software.

The man, Fredy Antonio Amaya-Marin, 39, faces eight counts of attempted murder for shooting at vehicles on Beacon Street on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 23, according to Philadelphia Police Chief Eric Lyons. 

He was arrested at 288 Alford Avenue at about 2 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24.  Alford Avenue runs between Beacon and Main near the Hondumex Authentic Mexican Restaurant.

According to Sheriff Eric Clark, Amaya-Marin was arrested on Sept. 28 of last year during a traffic stop on Gum Street where he was found to be impaired and had a misdemeanor amount of a controlled substance in his possession. He was subsequently charged with DUI and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance.

Since the sniper shootings, the Democrat has received numerous reports of illegals like Amaya-Marin being housed in the county.

Amaya-Marin had reportedly been working at the Old Mexico restaurant in Philadelphia. 

The illegals are reportedly housed at compounds at Tucker and off Highway 488 between Road 1135 and Road 1131 near New Bethel Baptist Church.

Clark said Amaya-Marin was released on March 28 because he had served his time on the initial charges under the false name.

He was booked here last September under the name Jonathan Salvador, 38, of 5317 Hoadley Street in Brighton, Alabama. Clark said that was the same name he would give PPD at the time of his arrest in the sniper shootings.

Clark said the sniper arrest exposed the need for an update in their fingerprint identification system. Clark said he has talked to the vendor that sold them the system as well as a number of state and federal agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to ensure they are properly connected to all relevant databases and that they are now up to date.

Clark noted that his office will have to manually update the system periodically. This gap in software updates meant that their system did not flag Salvador through ICE’s database, he said.

Amaya-Marin is currently being held without bond following his latest arrest.

Police say about 15 vehicles were struck with bullets, three of which left individuals injured.

Lyons said Amaya-Marin also potentially faces several federal charges, including illegal re-entry after deportation and illegal alien in possession of a firearm. 

Investigators determined that Amaya-Marin purchased ammunition at a local gun dealer and also attempted to purchase an AR-15 days prior to the shootings. Lyons said he was denied purchase of that weapon and only purchased the ammunition.  

“We believe that he had intentions on carrying out more attacks throughout the city if he were allowed to purchase the rifle,” Lyons said.

Lyons said investigators have questioned Amaya-Martin and said he has denied any involvement in the shootings.

Lyons said he may be responsible for shooting out windows at the public library Aug. 27 and other places.