Image Credit: DHS 
Four suspects have been charged in the barbaric murder of a teenage boy in a Maryland sanctuary county on the outskirts of Washington, D.C.
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released immigration statuses and criminal histories of three adult suspects in the case, while information about the fourth, a juvenile, remains limited.
On Nov. 3, authorities found human remains during a search of Indian Creek Stream Valley Park in College Park, Maryland.
The remains were tested and confirmed to be those of Jefferson Amaya-Ayala, a 14-year-old resident of Washington, D.C. who went missing on Aug. 2, 2025.
Investigators believe Amaya-Ayala was lured to the park and murdered on that day, with some reports indicating he may have been stabbed or slashed with large bladed weapons.
“The victim knew at least one of the four suspects. This murder appears gang-related however the motive remains under investigation,” the Prince George’s County Police Department explained in a press release.
The three adult suspects have all been identified as illegal aliens from El Salvador who were living in Washington, D.C.
They are also all known members of MS-13, a foreign terrorist organization, and have prior criminal records in the U.S.
- Jose Merlos-Majano, 18. Previously arrested for defacing public property and possession of a prohibited weapon while spray-painting MS-13 symbols on residences in Washington, D.C.
- William Cuellar Gutierrez, 19. Previously arrested in Washington, D.C. for possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, carrying a pistol without a license in gun free zone, and possession of unregistered ammunition. Released into U.S. by Biden regime.
- Alam Josai Garcia Padilla, 21. Convicted of attempted unlawful possession of ammunition by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Possessed fraudulent documents at time of latest arrest, including lawful permanent residence card and social security card. Released into U.S. by Biden regime.
The 17-year-old suspect has been identified as a resident of Hyattsville, Maryland.
All four have been charged with murder, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged detainer requests against the three adults, but they may not be honored by officials in Prince George’s County, which is a sanctuary for illegal aliens.
“This heinous murder of a child by MS-13 gang members is reprehensible. This murder was completely preventable. All three of these gang members had prior run ins with law enforcement. ICE should have been notified following their arrests,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
“Joe Biden and sanctuary politicians allowed gang members to terrorize our communities and RELEASED them from jails following their arrests. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we’ve already arrested 7,000 gang members.”
