An illegal alien and confirmed gang member from El Salvador is facing a slew of felony charges after police say he shot more than a dozen passing cars in Mississippi for no apparent reason.
The shocking incident unfolded during the early morning hours on Saturday in Philadelphia, a city in Neshoba County.
Local police initially reported three people were wounded and “approximately 15 vehicles” were struck by gunfire that originated from an overgrown lot near a residence.
The suspect shot at arriving officers, who returned fire.
Neither police nor the suspect were injured before he was taken into custody.
Officers searched the home and found an AR-15 rifle inside along with ammunition.
They also located nearly 30 shell casings matching the rifle in the overgrown lot.
At first, the male suspect was incorrectly identified as “Johnny Salvador,” a 31-year-old Mexican national, based upon information he provided to authorities.
“Further investigation led to Salvador purchasing ammunition at a local gun dealer and also attempting to purchase an AR 15 days prior to these shootings. 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,” Philadelphia police said in a statement.
Man arrested for firing at passing cars is an illegal alien MS-13 member who’s real name is Fredy Antonio Amaya-Marin. pic.twitter.com/xVgTuztM7H https://t.co/6flXsF8MNf
— Illegal Alien Crimes (@ImmigrantCrimes) August 28, 2024
Authorities later uncovered the suspect’s true identity.
Fredy Antonio Amaya-Marin, 39, is a citizen of El Salvador who was removed at least once from the United States in 2007.
He is also a known MS-13 gang member and has a criminal history in the U.S.
“It was determined that he was actually an MS-13 gang member, a confirmed gang member. If you’re familiar with MS-13, you know how violent and dangerous those guys can be. So to have those guys here in Philadelphia is disturbing,” Chief Eric Lyons told WTOK.
Amaya-Marin is facing up to eight counts of attempted murder, along with federal charges related to illegal reentry and illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
An investigation is ongoing.