Homicide victim advertised party that drew attention of Venezuelan street gang, Tren de Aragua | Law Enforcement Today

MONROE COUNTY, PA- On Sunday, January 12th, a 22-year-old man was killed and two others were injured after advertising for his birthday party at a short-term rental home, spiking the interest of a Venezuelan street gang that showed up. 

According to PennLive, on Friday, January 17th, Monroe County District Attorney Mike Mancuso provided more information about the case. In a Facebook post, he talked about how the gunfire was a result of the gang showing up at the party that was being held "deep in the heart of the Emerald Lakes subdivision" on Clover Road in Long Pond. 

The violent gang, known as Tren de Aragua (TdA), has been deemed by the federal government as a transnational criminal organization. The gang began as a prison gang in the Tocorón Prison in the state of Aragua in Venezuela. Mancuso said that through the past six years, its leader has expanded the group's criminal network throughout South America and north into Central America and now the United States.

The Pocono Mountain Regional police were called to the home at 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, January 12th after 22-year-old Lionardo Hernandez advertised the party in a flyer with his photo holding a peace sign. Hernandez is originally from Venezuela. Investigators found Hernandez alone at the home with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Monroe County coroner's office.

On Friday, January 17th, Monroe County Coroner Tom Yanac confirmed the manner of death was a homicide with the cause still pending. Police said that two others, 23-year-old Johangel Farfan and a 25-year-old, both of Venezuela, were later found with gunshot wounds. They were taken to the hospital where they remain in stable condition.

Mancuso said, "The scene was full of spent shell casings and bullet holes. Indeed, it was readily apparent that several different calibers of ammunition were used." He said that throughout the home there was evidence of the flight of partygoers. Suitcases were left in the driveway, and cellphones, cash and Venezuelan identification cards were all left behind. He also said that significant amounts of drugs and paraphernalia were seized by investigators.

Police said that investigators simultaneously learned of an attempted home burglary in progress in the area of Mohegan Court in Long Pond a short distance from Clover Road. Investigators followed footprints in the snow and found a second attempted break-in. Officials said that officers continued the pursuit and found a third home that had been broken into.

At that residence, two men, 26-year-old Victor Cesar Caldera Malpica and 34-year-old Angel Paez-Seguera, were found and taken into custody. Authorities said the pair are connected to the Clover Road incident. Five others have also been taken into custody, all believed to be from Venezuela.

In a separate incident, one person is dead and another was sent to the hospital after a fight broke out at a birthday party in Harnett County, North Carolina. According to CBS17, deputies with the Harnett County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) responded to reports of a person shot along Nutgrass Road in Bunnlevel. 

Upon arriving on scene, deputies said they found a man, later identified as 26-year-old Marquis Shamond Woodson, lying on the ground in the yard of a nearby home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said between 75 and 100 people were attending a birthday party at the residence. In news release, Sheriff Wayne Coats said, "There was a disturbance between several of the individuals at the location and as a result of the altercation, two individuals were shot."

The second person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He is currently in stable condition. Deputies urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact HCSO at 910-893-9111.