UPDATED - Two gang-affiliated gunmen charged with murder of 15-yr-old at Everett bus stop
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UPDATED - Two gang-affiliated gunmen charged with murder of 15-yr-old at Everett bus stop
UNLOCKED — Everett police picked up a 2nd suspect, all shooters are now in custody in Fri death of 15-yr-old Bryan “Hitter” Tamayo, shot 18 times at bus stop
The senior member of VLS told police that that he and another member fatally shot the 15-year-old Sur Town Rascals (STR) gang affiliate, in targeted retribution for a shooting linked to STR.
— From police documentation.
EVERETT (UPDATED 9/13/23 6:30)
EVERETT, WA - Last night, members of the Everett Police Department Anti-Crime Team (ACT) and Violent Crime Unit (VCU) arrested a second suspect, nineteen-year-old Victor E. Torres-Zuniga, an affiliate of the Vatos Locos Surenos (VLS) criminal enterprise, in connection with the shooting death of fifteen-year-old Bryan “Hitter” Tamayo at a school bus stop at 6:35 am Sept. 8, 2023.
Twenty-year-old VLS big homie1 member Uriel “Scooby” A. Hernandez Martinez was arrested by ACT and VCU on the evening of September 9. The shooting is believed to have been in connection to a long-running feud between rival gang members.
Scooby waived Miranda rights and participated in a law enforcement interview during which — according to law enforcement paperwork (see above) — he admitted personal guilt and named other involved members.
Police say the two suspects responsible for the shooting that resulted in the teen's death are now in custody.
Original story
“Through investigative means, I learned that VLS gang member Uriel Hernandez-Martinez admitted to others that he and another VLS gang member shot the victim. Hernandez-Martinez is a confirmed VLS gang member and based on information obtained from prior investigations, he is a gang leader or shot caller. The victim, Bryan Tamayo, was an active gang member in Sur Town Rascals (STR).”
- John Anderson of Everett PD, addressing the court Monday.
When Everett Special Operations Detective John Anderson learned that 15-year-old Bryan “Hitter” Tamayo was shot in a fatal drive-by shooting that scattered a busy school bus stop Friday morning, the seasoned gang investigator immediately knew where to look for those responsible for his death.
Tamayo wasn’t your average 15-year-old Kamiak High School student: as J425 exclusively reported Friday, Tamayo was an active member in a violent criminal street gang called Sur Town Rascals (or STR).
As a result of his affiliation with STR, Everett gang detectives knew Tamayo was a high profile target of Vatos Locos Surenos (VLS) gang members and that Tamayo was hounded by escalating threats and shootings since March, including multiple attempts to shoot both Tamayo and his residence.
In fact, last Friday’s fatal drive-by shooting was actually the third attempt on Tamayo’s life in as many days, one attempt was stopped by police who quickly turned the three VLS hitters and got them to confess their mission.
So, investigators – now tasked with solving the murder of Tamayo – didn’t have to look any further back than the previous 48 hours.
And that’s how the Bryan Tamayo murder investigation quickly zeroed in on the leader of a powerful local gang.
Voluntary Disclosures Place VLS Leader at Scene of Crime
UHM told police that three VLS gang members were supposed to shoot Tamayo Thursday night in a drive-by shooting from a car they’d stolen for the purpose… but the soldiers “f*cked up”, got arrested and were unable to accomplish their mission.
Since the three other gang members were not able to shoot Tamayo, he was expected to do so.
— Interview transcript
As a result, Everett Police picked up the Vatos Locos Surenos local leader on a charge of first degree murder late Saturday. Hernandez-Martinez was located at a dispensary in South Everett and placed under arrest without incident.
Detectives found a pistol with an altered serial number concealed on his person.
Hernandez-Martinez was read Miranda at the scene and agreed to speak with investigators regarding the incident. He consented to a recorded interview and was read his constitutional rights.
The senior member of VLS told police that that he and another member fatally shot the 15-year-old Sur Town Rascals (STR) gang affiliate, in targeted retribution for a shooting linked to STR.
This wasn’t originally the plan.
He told police that three VLS gang members were supposed to shoot Tamayo Thursday night in a drive-by shooting from a car they’d stolen for the purpose… but the soldiers “f*cked up”, got arrested and were unable to accomplish their mission.
Since the three other gang members were not able to shoot Tamayo, he was expected to do so.
TIMELINE: HOW GANG WARFARE BEGETS GANG WARFARE
March 12, 2023 – VLS big homie Uriel “Scooby” Hernandez-Martinez is shot in a drive-by targeting two VLS members. Police believe Sur Town Rascals (STR) are responsible. Investigators say VLS launched a revenge campaign targeting Tamayo with escalating threats and violence.
Spring/Summer - VLS is behind numerous online threats targeting Bryan “Hitter” Tamayo. Tamayo, his home and his neighborhood are all shot up.
Spring/Summer - A gang detective meets with Tamayo and his mother to discuss the threats.
Sept. 6, 2023 – “A rival gang is trying to kill me.” Police respond to reports of gunfire near Mariner High School and make contact with Bryan Tamayo. The fifteen-year-old is uncooperative but tells police he’d been shot at by a rival gang that was trying to kill him.
Sept. 7, 2023 - Three VLS gang members cruise south county in a stolen vehicle, firearms in plain view. A detective intercepts them, learns that the purpose of their activity is to locate and shoot Tamayo and books them into Denny Youth Center.
Sept. 8, 2023 – Bryan “Hitter” Tamayo is shot and killed in a targeted shooting that occurred in front of students and parents gathered waiting for the school bus.
Sept. 9, 2023 – VLS shot caller Uriel A. Hernandez Martinez, also known as “Scooby”, is arrested for the murder of Bryan Tamayo. Investigators say other VLS affiliates were present and involved in the murder of Tamayo.
Sept. 10, 2023 – Hernandez Martinez tells investigators he’s responsible for the gang hit, but rats out a few of his gang members by name as well – reportedly.
Three Attempts in Three Days
J425 is learning more about previous instances of gang violence leading up to last Friday’s drive-by — and as a result:
J425 can exclusively report that three attempts were made on the 15-year-old’s life in the days leading up to his death.
Last Wednesday, Tamayo escaped an Everett apartment shooting on foot, telling arriving police that “a rival gang shot at me” and that rivals were intent on killing him.
Last Thursday, three VLS soldiers in a stolen car with weapons visible were hunting for Tamayo when they were identified and detained by a gang task force detective.
Upon arrest they admitted they were out on a mission to kill Tamayo and were promptly arrested.
Gang term denoting senior membership or leadership. Quoted from law enforcement reports.
UPDATED - Two gang-affiliated gunmen charged with murder of 15-yr-old at Everett bus stop
Great work.
It’s interesting that all of the gang members apparently divulge everything voluntarily once confronted by police.