2 More Arrested For MS-13 Linked Queens Shooting, Police Say

JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS — Two more men are facing charges in connection with an MS-13 linked shooting that occurred on a subway platform in Jackson Heights, Queens, police said.

Tito Martinez-Alvarenga, 19, and Victor Lopez, 20, both of Flushing, are facing charges of second-degree murder, gang assault, kidnapping and criminal weapons possession, police said. The two are accused of playing a role in Feb. 3 the killing of 20-year-old Abel Mosso on the platform of the 90th Street and Elmhurst Avenue 7 train station.

Ramiro Gutierrez, 26, was arrested the day after the shooting and is facing the same charges as Martinez-Alvarenga and Lopez. The three suspects are accused of being members of the MS-13 gang and the victim is accused of being a member of the rival 18th Street Gang, police said.

Witnesses of the fight posted a graphic video to social media that showed the victim struggling with three other men on the subway platform. During the fight, one of the men produces what appears to be a revolver and opens fire when the victim lunges at the weapon.

The victim appears to attempt to stand up, according to surveillance video cited in the charges, said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. But as he attempts to stand, shots ring out.

Six shots are heard in quick succession as subway passengers scream and run from the gunfire, according to the eyewitness video.

Emergency services pronounced Mosso dead at the scene.

"I was thinking at first they were fighting like they were drunken people," Bidur Bista, who took the video, told the New York Times. "Once the guy started shooting, I was scared."

The fight began on a Manhattan-bound 7 train and spilled onto the platform when the train pulled into the station, police said. Investigators do not know what started the fight, or whether the victim knew his attackers.

"What started out as an alleged violent gang assault quickly turned into a heinous public slaying," DA Brown said in a statement. "The victim was killed during a brazen broad day light attack with dozens of fellow subway riders as witnesses. The two men - along with a third previously charged individual - are alleged to have pulled the victim from the train, rain punches and kicks on him before the man was shot several times in the head. The defendants now face the possibility of being locked away for life.

Residents of the Jackson Heights and Elmhurst neighborhoods have noticed an uptick in MS-13 related graffiti since the shooting occurred.

Martinez-Alavrenga and Lopez are due to return to court March 8.