Illegal arrested in sniper shootings

A Salvadoran man here illegally and believed to be part of the violent MS-13 gang has been arrested here and charged with eight counts of attempted murder in sniper shootings on Beacon Street last week.

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. 

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

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

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.

Investigators have been working with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security, ATF, and others. 

“Investigators are working with the D.A.’s office and U.S. prosecutors on any additional charges,” Lyons said.

The suspect is currently being held without bond.

Lyons said Amaya-Marin was initially identified as Jonathan Salvadore of Mexico. His office worked with agents from the Department of Homeland Security, who determined his true identity through fingerprints.

“The investigators believe he has been using this name for some time while in the U.S.,” Lyons said.

Amaya-Martin was previously deported back to El Salvador in 2007, Lyons said. It is believed he re-entered the country illegally, though authorities are not sure when. Further findings show that Amaya-Marin is a confirmed member of the Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as MS-13, which Lyons called “a violent international street gang.” 

Amaya-Marin has reportedly been working at the Old Mexico Restaurant near the railroad. There are reports of other illegals connected to Amaya-Marin being in Neshoba County.

“We will continue to work closely with state and federal agencies to rid the community of such gangs coming into our community wreaking havoc and causing destruction,” Lyons said.

This arrest comes while Philadelphia Police were investigating a rash of shootings reported last week, including reports of shots fired in the area of a car wash on Myrtle Street on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and Thursday, Aug. 22.

“Nothing was found on those nights as officers searched areas near Myrtle and the car wash,” Lyons said.

On the evening of Friday, August 23, and on into the early morning hours of Saturday, August 24, officers were out patrolling. At about 12:50 a.m., dispatch advised that a vehicle traveling west on Beacon Street had been shot at, and the vehicle was hit.  While trying to determine where the shots came from, officers heard another round of shots fired near Beacon Street and Alford Avenue.

When officers converged on the scene, they reported being shot at as they stood near Hardy Tire on Beacon Street.

“Rounds hit off the buildings, and officers returned fire at that time,” Lyons said.

Officers pinpointed the area where shots were coming from and stopped all traffic moving both east and westbound, Lyons said. He said the shooter remained hidden while he was shooting at officers.

“No clear visual was available as the shooter was positioned in an area of concealment,’ Lyons said.

After about an hour, police were able to approach and clear the area where the shooter was firing, but the shooter was gone by that time, Lyons said. Officers continued to search the area and found several shell casings in the front and back yards of the residence on Alford Avenue. 

Lyons said officers made contact with the occupants of the residence and cleared the residence of about six people, and recovered a handgun in the bedroom of one resident, who would be identified as Amaya-Marin.

Lyons said a total of four people were ultimately detained at the residence on Alford Avenue, but only Amaya-Marin was arrested and charged.

A search of the residence the following day found an “AR-style rifle” and ammunition in a room adjacent to Amaya-Marin’s room, Lyons said.

The residence on Alford Avenue sits next to a small, overgrown lot. Lyons said in that area, officers recovered nearly 30 shell casings matching the weapon found inside the residence.  

Lyons said the man was shooting at cars on Beacon from the overgrown lot between the 288 Alford residence and an insurance company on the corner of Alford and Beacon.

“Officers observed the angle of attack on vehicles as they passed by and how they were struck,” Lyons said.  

The investigation determined 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.