Two bodies found in park as gang activity on the rise
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| FCPD Chief Roessler speaks to the press. [FCPD] |
The gang problem “is out of control,” said Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler March 3 at a news briefing on Crater Place in Parklawn on the discovery of two sets of human remains in Holmes Run Stream Valley Park.
The remains were found March 2 approximately 300 yards into the park from the intersection of Crater Place and Yellowstone Drive March 2. The police and FBI had been searching in the area for two days after receiving a tip.
This was definitely gang activity, Roessler said, but declined to identify the victims or give details on whether the murders took place in the park. The medical examiner will determine how long the bodies have been there. While the chief declined to identify the gang, it’s been widely reported that MS-13 is responsible.
A representative of the FBI confirmed that gang activity is on the rise throughout the region. “We don’t know why there is heightened activity now This happens to be a current hot spot,” he said.
Roessler wouldn’t say definitely whether the bodies are connected to the two recent gang-related murders in Northern Virginia, including the discovery of the body of 15-year-old Damaris Alexandra Reyes Rivas near Lake Accotink Park, or the disappearance and return of two Fairfax County teenagers. At least a dozen suspects were arrested in February for the murder of Rivas or gang activities.
Roessler did say, however, that “It’s more than likely that the recovery of these bodies will be linked to another set of gang murders.”
This isn’t the first time Holmes Run Stream Valley Park has been a dumping ground for gang murders. In 2014, two bodies were discovered in the park, and six members of MS-13 were eventually convicted of murder and related crimes.
Roessler asked the community to help the police by providing tips. “We have murderers out there running around,” he said. “Young people are being sucked in by gangs.” The police department depends on tips from the public “to prevent gang tragedies like the one today.”
37 responses to “Two bodies found in park as gang activity on the rise”
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At Penny Gross's neighborhood conference in Jan., a police official mentioned the unaccompanied minors being brought to our area and being placed with parent-like figures. He spoke of the vulnerability of these children to human trafficking and gang activity.
he also said that the gang violence wasn't really trending. It certainly seems to be trending to me.
Maybe North Korea will do us a favor and drop a bomb on Culmore and solve this problem that the Countly clearly cannot!
Yes. Culmore is the problem. Full of gang members and undocumented individuals. But, Parklawn cannot get officers to patrol regularly, investigate car break ins, or even stop the frequent stop sign runners and speeders. This park is now up to FOUR DEAD BODIES — and they did NOTHING after the first time. The police have no issue sitting in the Harris Teeter parking lot jawing with one another but you can't do periodic patrols of a park to deter illegal activity? Residents call in suspected gun shots and are ALWAYS told it is fireworks. This is a failure. So how many dead bodies in a park until something is done? Are there any other FFX parks that have as many murders going on? The communities abutted this part of the park are nice neighborhoods – but the Culmore MS-13 gang keeps using the park and the community as a kill zone.
Nobody is alleging anyone was killed at the park. Look for context clues within the sentences and your comprehension will improve!
Three years ago two people were executed in the park.
Two murders in the park were proven with convictions. So how are no murders happening?
Hopefully Trump and his enforcement of our immigration policies can somewhat help get these people out of the country. Am I racist for saying/thinking that?
Yes. Yes you are..
Sovereignty. … Sovereignty is the power of a state to do everything necessary to govern itself, such as making, executing, and applying laws; imposing and collecting taxes; making war and peace; and forming treaties or engaging in commerce with foreign nations.
I agree, you indeed are a racist. At least you appear open to that idea, which means you have the ability to do better. Best of luck!
Why is it racist to hope that undocumented gang members be returned to the country that doesn't want them?
^ It's not racist to hope that murderous illegal immigrants get sent back from whence they came. It's racist to paint people of any particular race with a broad brush, saying either overtly or by strong implication that they're inferior to other races. Automatically assuming that the thugs who did this are illegal immigrants (and therefore likely not Caucasian) before we know for sure is prejudiced…and naive.
There are different types of sovereignty–authoritative and absolute, for example. The actions of all of our leaders should be based on rational thought and careful consideration to determine exactly what is and is not "necessary."
I kind of agree with 2:11 here. Explain why it's racist to want murderers as far away from you and your country as possible? Assuming what 2:11 means by "these people" is murderers – I figure regardless of race and nationality.
You are far from a racist just like myself. I really love how people can throw around that word and have no real bases. I am also ready for Trump to sending in ICE agents into the neighborhood. I think we need it throughout the Mason District not just Culmore. We have several neighborhoods near Annandale High School that needs some enforcement. I welcome the ICE agents into Mason District. Thank you Penny Gross for not enforcing any housing laws in the Mason District except for those who oppose you.
I hope that all undocumented immigrants are forced out and then if they want back they can reapply. Those that add value should be fast tracked. Those that are the MS-13 problem can go to their home country and be a problem.
Almost all of the undocumented workers add value to our community. Stigmatizing people helps to create conditions where gangs can flourish. Trump's hateful rhetoric throughout the campaign and his complete lack of coherent policies are not going to be good for America
Anna – I have been struggling with the immigration issue, and am genuinely interested in why you say "undocumented workers add value to our community." Could you please elaborate? Thank you.
look who likes a photo op!
That is what I thought.
One problem is the shortage of Fairfax County police officers. This has been an issue for years that the BOS seems unable to address.
There also must be a balance between the cost of welcoming newcomers and providing the services and protection that they require.
A perfect example of this disconnect is the push to spend up to $750,000 to change the name of JEB Stuart High School rather than addressing the needs and challenges faced by the students and their families.
In times of a budget deficit and such competing needs, how can this expenditure even be seriously considered?
Mara Salvatrucha High School… it seems some folks in this country would prefer that over JEB Stuart…
Stuart Stuart has MS13 gang members. But the name change is important.
Fairfax has lost its ability to rationally prioritize, it has lost its way and new leadership is sorely needed.
The majority unfortunately voted for Penny versus Mollie. We really lost out when Mollie did not win.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/ms-13-gangster-convicted-2014-murder-holmes-run-park
Who is the idiot who said no murders have happened in the park?
Anonymous3/3/17, 4:32 PM
Please explain why changing the name of JEB Stuart High School is important given the socio-economic climate of that high school
Why is it racist to hope that undocumented gang members be returned to the country that doesn't want them?
You wouldn't be saying the same thing if it was someone in your family that MS-13 killed. Yeah, that's what I thought….Deport them all! I don't want any of these illegals at my child's school either.
MS 13 gang members kill other gang members. I don't know of any killings outside of their own cliques. Leonard Bernstein could have made a musical out of it.
So, you are OK with people killing people in the park? What if you had a daughter who was running down in that park and she came across them burying a body? Do you think they would let her get away? And given there is terrible to no cell service in that park, your daughter probably would not be able to call for help. I am sure that MS-13 is well aware of the fact that there is little to no cell service down there, which makes it safer for them. How many people have died or been buried in that park since the cell tower initiative stalled? I hope those who fought it appreciate they are part of this problem.
Yes. I agree completely with 1:40. That cell tower would have clearly have prevented murder.
Adam – where did 1:04 say or even imply that cell phone service would have prevented the murder?? That does not make sense. All 1:04 said was that the park is a deadzone which probably encourages illegal activities because if people see you, it is harder for them to call for help. And I know of at least two specific instances where a person could not call the Police for assistance both in that area. I am sure MS-13 is aware of that deadzone which makes that area more attractive to operate in because they know that people will have trouble calling the police should they be observed. I doubt that they have only been in that park twice to commit those two crimes.
Is the lady in the picture, lurking in the background behind the police, a suspect? I don't think she lives there. Was she there before the police got there? I've seen her around in the Annandale area before, does she have some kind of gang affiliation?
That is Penny Gross Mason District supervisor
The last set of murders in the Holmes Run Park were caused by calamity in law enforcement. An informant/murderer went rogue and the police did not follow up. Then our district supervisor was not candid about ehat was going on. The supervisor's recent actions are good but too late in coming. The political climate is making an awful situation even worse.
There was a time when organizing a concert series was enough to serve your constituents— thoughtful and nice lady – But it’s probably time to acknowledge a growing serious gang crime issue and garner support for real action to correct mistakes of the past Or step aside.