mara salvatrucha gang (MS13) on Friday the 13th

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in an immigrant community teaching ESL to adults. I believe that I have encountered people in MS13 (they don't just come right out and say that sort of thing, but definately gang members).

I have experienced the above scenarios where one person said she was comfortable with them in her classroom.

I have seen them involved in stabbings shotings in the Mt. Pleasant/Columbia Heights areas numerous times during my five years living and working in that area.


This gang lives up to its horrific reputation. It doesn't hurt to be cautious tomorrow.

seriously, are you a teacher?!?!

[Anonymous]

I shouldn't have read this. I couldn't remember which gang was MS13, so I wiki'd it. Big mistake. Wiki even mentions the growth in the DC area, specifically Langley Park & Takoma Park. VERY close to home. I'm generally not a person to live in fear of things, but I have a knot in my stomach. The story of the husband and wife who were attacked really got to me. Not just Friday the 13th; this could be a threat any day. I wish I wouldn't have read this, ignorance really IS bliss.

[Anonymous]

OMIGOD, We're all gonna die!

Must we live in this culture of fear?

[Anonymous]

Well, 13:16, we actually are all going to die. Taking reasonable precautions if you live in areas with gang activity is a way to not hasten it.

[Anonymous]

I got in trouble with a gang a few years back and had to move ASAP. (I yelled at them for dumping garbage and trying to hit on 7 year old girls). They smashed up my friend's car (they saw me getting out of it I guess) and tried breaking in a few times while I was home. I moved within 2 days with full consent of the office where I was renting. They knew they had a problem.

[Anonymous]

I live a block from 17th and Euclid, and believe me it's scary. You may recall a case of mistaken identity in one murder and several years ago a young boy was shot by a stray bullet standing outside his home, it may have been gang related. It's the stray bullets I fear. I've heard gunshots that have killed people. This isn't some hyped up fear!

[Anonymous]

So gentrification isn't working?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in a HS in FCPS and have taught MS-13 members. I have never felt nervous around them particularly. Usually they keep to themselves and if they are violent, it is against members of other gangs or people they think are in other gangs. I have lived here for 15+ years and cannot really think of a time they just randomly went out attacking people on the street. So, no, I wouldn't be too worried about them coming and attacking you in Pentagon City on Friday.

Are you living in a Yellow Submarine?

I can't comment on Friday, but I can say that they brutalized a Leesburg couple a year ago. They were out on a morning walk, and beat the husband to death, all 5 raped the wife, beat her and left her for dead. She spent months in the hospital. They were out trolling a suburban community looking for someone to rape and kill, unfortunately this grandma and grandpa were in their crosshairs.

Gang violence by MS13 and other such scumbags are very real and very dangerous.

OP, if you are worried I would call Frank Wolf's office and talk to his person who is the liason to the Gang Task Force and see if the rumors are based on any fact. He is very involved in this topic and takes it seriously. I have even complained to his office when I've seen MS13 grafitti in my neighborhood and he has gotten the right people at VDOT on it within 24hrs cleaning it up.

Actually, the attack on that couple had nothing to do with MS-13 or any other gang.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/042509_4_suspects_arrested_in_bennett_murder

Yes, I totally agree that MS-13 is dangerous, but in general the violence that they commit is against other gangs, NOT just random people walking out on the street. Of course it is important to take precautions, but it would be very unlikely for something to happen right out in the blue in the middle of Pentagon City.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in a HS in FCPS and have taught MS-13 members. I have never felt nervous around them particularly. Usually they keep to themselves and if they are violent, it is against members of other gangs or people they think are in other gangs. I have lived here for 15+ years and cannot really think of a time they just randomly went out attacking people on the street. So, no, I wouldn't be too worried about them coming and attacking you in Pentagon City on Friday.

Are you living in a Yellow Submarine?

I can't comment on Friday, but I can say that they brutalized a Leesburg couple a year ago. They were out on a morning walk, and beat the husband to death, all 5 raped the wife, beat her and left her for dead. She spent months in the hospital. They were out trolling a suburban community looking for someone to rape and kill, unfortunately this grandma and grandpa were in their crosshairs.

Gang violence by MS13 and other such scumbags are very real and very dangerous.

OP, if you are worried I would call Frank Wolf's office and talk to his person who is the liason to the Gang Task Force and see if the rumors are based on any fact. He is very involved in this topic and takes it seriously. I have even complained to his office when I've seen MS13 grafitti in my neighborhood and he has gotten the right people at VDOT on it within 24hrs cleaning it up.

Actually, the attack on that couple had nothing to do with MS-13 or any other gang.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/042509_4_suspects_arrested_in_bennett_murder

Yes, I totally agree that MS-13 is dangerous, but in general the violence that they commit is against other gangs, NOT just random people walking out on the street. Of course it is important to take precautions, but it would be very unlikely for something to happen right out in the blue in the middle of Pentagon City.

What you said is not entirely true. The article said that the attack was not connected to a gang initiation. But it is well known that the four people who were arrested were gang members. The police never released the name of the gang to which they belonged.

[Anonymous]

Good grief, shall we break out the smelling salts for you all? This is not a new development. My guess is that there are very few of you who are actually going to run into gang members who want to kill you during your day to day activities. Take the precautions you would take against ANY threat and go on with your life. MS-13 isn't hunting down suburban moms to kill.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, 14:28. The Bennett murder story sounded embellished. What happened to that poor couple is horrible enough without someone taking creative liberties in telling their tragic story.

Anyway, I must admit...now that I'm a parent, these kind of stories (factual or not) tend to make me a little more fearful.

[Anonymous]

[/b][b]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in a HS in FCPS and have taught MS-13 members. I have never felt nervous around them particularly. Usually they keep to themselves and if they are violent, it is against members of other gangs or people they think are in other gangs. I have lived here for 15+ years and cannot really think of a time they just randomly went out attacking people on the street. So, no, I wouldn't be too worried about them coming and attacking you in Pentagon City on Friday.

Are you living in a Yellow Submarine?

I can't comment on Friday, but I can say that they brutalized a Leesburg couple a year ago. They were out on a morning walk, and beat the husband to death, all 5 raped the wife, beat her and left her for dead. She spent months in the hospital. They were out trolling a suburban community looking for someone to rape and kill, unfortunately this grandma and grandpa were in their crosshairs.

Gang violence by MS13 and other such scumbags are very real and very dangerous.

OP, if you are worried I would call Frank Wolf's office and talk to his person who is the liason to the Gang Task Force and see if the rumors are based on any fact. He is very involved in this topic and takes it seriously. I have even complained to his office when I've seen MS13 grafitti in my neighborhood and he has gotten the right people at VDOT on it within 24hrs cleaning it up.

Actually, the attack on that couple had nothing to do with MS-13 or any other gang.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/042509_4_suspects_arrested_in_bennett_murder

Yes, I totally agree that MS-13 is dangerous, but [b]in general the violence that they commit is against other gangs, NOT just random people walking out on the street. Of course it is important to take precautions, but it would be very unlikely for something to happen right out in the blue in the middle of Pentagon City.

What you said is not entirely true. The article said that the attack was not connected to a gang initiation. But it is well known that the four people who were arrested were gang members. The police never released the name of the gang to which they belonged.

Well known? Please produce where you found this information. If it was gang affiliated, it certainly wasn't MS13. The men who were arrested certainly don't have Central American last names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good grief, shall we break out the smelling salts for you all? This is not a new development. My guess is that there are very few of you who are actually going to run into gang members who want to kill you during your day to day activities. Take the precautions you would take against ANY threat and go on with your life. MS-13 isn't hunting down suburban moms to kill.

12:56 Here
No, no need for smelling salts. I've always been well aware these things existed and are out there, but my whole point in my comment was that I never really gave it any thought as to how close I lived to it all. That's it. No need to get feisty. Just because you say so, I'll continue to take the same precautions I have always taken, thanks for the tip! You're a life saver!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[/b][b]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in a HS in FCPS and have taught MS-13 members. I have never felt nervous around them particularly. Usually they keep to themselves and if they are violent, it is against members of other gangs or people they think are in other gangs. I have lived here for 15+ years and cannot really think of a time they just randomly went out attacking people on the street. So, no, I wouldn't be too worried about them coming and attacking you in Pentagon City on Friday.

Are you living in a Yellow Submarine?

I can't comment on Friday, but I can say that they brutalized a Leesburg couple a year ago. They were out on a morning walk, and beat the husband to death, all 5 raped the wife, beat her and left her for dead. She spent months in the hospital. They were out trolling a suburban community looking for someone to rape and kill, unfortunately this grandma and grandpa were in their crosshairs.

Gang violence by MS13 and other such scumbags are very real and very dangerous.

OP, if you are worried I would call Frank Wolf's office and talk to his person who is the liason to the Gang Task Force and see if the rumors are based on any fact. He is very involved in this topic and takes it seriously. I have even complained to his office when I've seen MS13 grafitti in my neighborhood and he has gotten the right people at VDOT on it within 24hrs cleaning it up.

Actually, the attack on that couple had nothing to do with MS-13 or any other gang.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/042509_4_suspects_arrested_in_bennett_murder

Yes, I totally agree that MS-13 is dangerous, but [b]in general the violence that they commit is against other gangs, NOT just random people walking out on the street. Of course it is important to take precautions, but it would be very unlikely for something to happen right out in the blue in the middle of Pentagon City.

What you said is not entirely true. The article said that the attack was not connected to a gang initiation. But it is well known that the four people who were arrested were gang members. The police never released the name of the gang to which they belonged.

Well known? Please produce where you found this information. If it was gang affiliated, it certainly wasn't MS13. The men who were arrested certainly don't have Central American last names.

I should have said it was well known locally. I know the extended families of two of the suspects and they freely admit that the boys were in a gang. With that said, I don't think it was MS-13 and I never said it was, but your post absolutely ruled them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in a HS in FCPS and have taught MS-13 members. I have never felt nervous around them particularly. Usually they keep to themselves and if they are violent, it is against members of other gangs or people they think are in other gangs. I have lived here for 15+ years and cannot really think of a time they just randomly went out attacking people on the street. So, no, I wouldn't be too worried about them coming and attacking you in Pentagon City on Friday.

What is the point of your post? Gang members aren't dangerous? Or that they aren't any more dangerous than normal high school students?

I have to disagree. There's no reason for the OP to not be aware that MS-13 members can do horrible things.

My point is that I actually come into contact with MS-13 members and am not particularly worried about being killed by them because in general any violent acts they commit are against other gangs. The OP, who just happens to live in a very safe area where there was some gang graffiti, should not be especially worried that she would be a target of their violence. I agree that MS-13 members can do horrible things and it is certainly important to be aware that gang members are out there, but it is highly unlikely OP will be a victim of their attacks. Yes, the Leesburg couple who were attacked was an awful story, but it is certainly not a common one around here - especially in low crime areas like Arlington.