Gang raid nets arrest of suspects in 3 East Boston murders

Gail Waterhouse — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 17:49:11 -0500

A multi-city raid on Friday led law enforcement officials to arrest 56 people connected to the national gang MS-13. In a 64-page federal indictment, officials linked members of the gang to five murders, including three in East Boston in recent months.

Those three homicides, all of teenage boys, were all killed allegedly because MS-13 leaders told lower ranking members they needed to commit violence to prove their worth to the group, according to the Boston Globe:

Irvin de Paz

Wilson Martinez, 15, and Irvin de Paz, 16, were killed in September 2015 in East Boston after MS-13 leaders ordered subordinates to prove themselves worthy by murdering rivals, officials said. Cristofer Perez-De La Cruz, 16, was killed in January with a gun, knives, and a machete after MS-13 leaders in Virginia told leaders of local “cliques” that their crews needed to be more violent, according to court records.

Wilson Martinez

Police Commissioner William B. Evans said the murders of rivals appeared to be based on MS-13’s orders for initiation rites for its members rather than retaliation. According to the indictment, young men were encouraged to commit murder in order to be promoted in the gang. “We’re talking real young victims here, and their families are still suffering,” Evans said.

Four people are accused of killing Perez-De la Cruz, according to the Globe:

Cristofer Perez de la Cruz

East Boston residents Edwin Diaz, 18, and Edwin Gonzalez, 20, and Chelsea residents Marvin Melgar, 21, and Jairo Perez, 24. Gonzalez is also accused of participating in the murder of 15-year-old Wilson Martinez.

Days after that murder, the federal indictment alleges that Perez and 22-year-old Jose Vasquez, the leader of a local MS-13 group, tried to hide evidence by allegedly burying knives, a machete and bloody clothes.

The indictment also revealed that MS-13 allegedly began recruiting teens from local high schools in East Boston, as well as schools in Chelsea and Everett.

Chelsea teen fatally stabbed in East Boston

Gail Waterhouse — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 22:29:41 -0400

A 15-year-old Chelsea boy was stabbed and killed in East Boston on Sunday.

Police responded to 72 Trenton St. Sunday evening just before 5:15 p.m. where they found the teenager suffering from a stab wound. Emergency responders took him to Massachusetts General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

On Tuesday, police identified the victim as Irvin de Paz.

Irvin de Paz

De Paz was a freshman at Chelsea High School. Originally from el Salvador, he moved to Chelsea in 2007 with his parents. He enjoyed swimming, playing video games and going to the movies, according to his obituary.

Detectives are investigating the case and ask anyone with information to call the homicide unit at 617-343-4470. Anyone who wants to leave anonymous tips can call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS, or texting the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27643).

Just two weeks earlier, 15-year-old Wilson Martinez was found dead on Constitution Beach in East Boston. It is believed he died from stab wounds.

Irvin Javier de Paz Castro | Homicide Watch Boston

Gang raid nets arrest of suspects in 3 East Boston murders

Chelsea teen fatally stabbed in East Boston