Update: 2:23 p.m.: Three suspects charged in a Tuesday shoot in Southold appeared before Judge Rudolph Bruer at Southold Town justice court Tuesday. Bail for each was set at $250,000. The three are due back in Southold Town justice court Friday, police said.
One day after two men were shot on South Harbor Road in Southold, police have identified and arrested the three suspects in connection with the crime — and said they are members of the MS-13 street gang.
According to Southold Town Police, Pedro Emilio Santamaria, 31, of Greenport, Jeremias Nathanael Recinos Torres, 19, of Aquebogue, and Walter Vasquez, 17, of Greenport, were arrested after the attack.
The shootings occurred after midnight on Tuesday, police said. A responding officer spotted Santamaria and Recinos Torres in a parked vehicle a short distance from the scene of the shooting — and a loaded .22 calibre semi-automatic handgun was discovered in the vehicle, police said.
During the subsequent investigation, it was learned that Vasquez was also involved, police said; he was arrested at Greenport High School, where he is a student.
The victims remain hospitalized in Peconic Bay Medical Center.
Police said it appears that the incident stems from a dispute between some of the defendants and the victims that occurred at the Third Street Park in Greenport on Friday night — and it is believed that the victims are members of Mara-18 or 18th Street, a rival street gang.
The victims were spotted by the MS-13 members as they walked along the roadway on Route 25 and South Harbor Road where they both lived, police said. The MS-13 members then ambushed the victims, police said, and as many as five shots were fired from a .22 caliber handgun, with one of the victims attacked with a machete.
Santamaria and Recinos Torres were charged with assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, felonies; Vasquez was charged with assault in the first degree, a felony, police said, Additionally, it was learned that Vasquez and Recinos Torres are in the United States illegally and are currently in removal proceedings, police said; the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
In past years, the Third Street Park in Greenport was thought to be the site of possible gang activity. Years ago, Mayor David Kapell brought Curtis Sliwa of the Guardian Angels out to the park and Guardian Angels patrols into the village, to help deter gang activity.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. By law, a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Police did not release Vasquez’ mugshot, despite a request.
