Two illegal immigrants linked to a notorious Venezuelan gang have been arrested for a deadly Chicago house party mass shooting that left three dead and five wounded, intensifying concerns about border security and violent crime.
At a Glance
- ICE arrested two Venezuelan nationals, Ricardo Granadillo Padilla and Edward Martinez-Cermeno, both suspected members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang
- The suspects are charged with a December 2023 mass shooting at a Chicago house party that killed three people and injured five others
- Authorities seized multiple firearms, high-capacity magazines, narcotics, and fraudulent documents during the arrests
- Both suspects entered the U.S. illegally – Padilla in 2022 and Cermeno in 2023
- ICE reports arresting 16 additional TdA gang members and associates in Chicago and Raleigh
Venezuelan Gang Members Arrested for Deadly Chicago Shooting
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has apprehended two Venezuelan nationals allegedly responsible for a mass shooting at a Chicago house party last December. The suspects, Edward Martinez-Cermeno and Ricardo Granadillo Padilla, are reportedly members of the dangerous Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang that has been expanding its presence across American cities. The shooting on Chicago’s Southwest Side resulted in three deaths and five injuries, with victims ranging from 20 to 35 years old suffering gunshot wounds to the head, abdomen, and extremities.
Martinez-Cermeno was arrested in Schaumburg, Illinois, while Granadillo Padilla was apprehended in Raleigh, North Carolina, where authorities discovered firearms and ammunition in his possession. Both suspects entered the United States illegally – Padilla in 2022 and Cermeno in 2023 – and now face federal immigration charges.
Law enforcement officials also seized multiple firearms, high-capacity magazines, narcotics, and fraudulent documents from Granadillo Padilla’s Chicago residence during the operation, further highlighting the criminal enterprise’s scope.
Two illegal Venezuelan immigrants, suspected TdA gang members charged in deadly Chicago mass shooting https://t.co/WBsd4QTuU7
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 23, 2025
Evidence Points to Gang-Related Violence
Investigators found telling evidence at the crime scene that reinforced the gang connection to the shooting. “Gang-related graffiti was found at the scene, and officials confirmed prior calls for service at the address,” according to local reports. The house where the shooting occurred had been the subject of previous law enforcement attention, suggesting ongoing criminal activity at the location. The violent attack appears consistent with territorial gang operations that have become increasingly concerning to law enforcement agencies across major American cities.
The arrests have sent shockwaves through the community, with residents expressing both relief that suspects have been apprehended and concern about the international gang’s growing footprint. The Tren de Aragua gang, which originated in Venezuela, has been expanding its criminal operations into the United States, bringing with it a pattern of extreme violence. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the full extent of the gang’s activities in Chicago and other American cities.
Two illegal Venezuelan immigrants, suspected TdA gang members charged in deadly Chicago mass shooting https://t.co/gVByFfW4Sn
— DividedWeFall1000 (@DividedFall1000) May 23, 2025
Broader Crackdown on Gang Activities
The arrests mark part of a larger operation targeting the TdA gang’s presence in the United States. ICE reports having arrested 16 additional Tren de Aragua members and associates in Chicago and Raleigh on immigration charges, suggesting a coordinated effort to dismantle the gang’s network. The operation has revealed the transnational nature of modern gang activity, with members crossing borders and establishing criminal enterprises in multiple locations. Both Martinez-Cermeno and Granadillo Padilla remain in federal custody as the investigation continues.
The operation has not been without controversy. During the arrests, law enforcement tactics reportedly frightened some community members. One witness, Maria Occhipinti, described the intense moments during the operation: “They were pointing their guns at me and my husband, they knocked him down to the ground.”
She further stated, “They just left without an explanation. They didn’t show many any documents. We were scared, we’re all in crisis.” Chicago police have not commented on the case, and attorneys for the suspects have not responded to requests for information.
