Latest news with #contractkilling
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- The Guardian
Police believe gunmen may be being recruited on social media as hunt for Sydney kebab shop shooters continues
Police investigating the triple shooting at a kebab shop in western Sydney on Monday believe gunmen may be being recruited on social media to carry out contract killings. Two masked men entered the shop in Auburn on Monday and fired eight shots, wounding three people, including a 47-year-old woman employed at the store. A 26-year-old man, who police believe was the target of the alleged attempted killing, was shot in the shoulder and arm but was in a stable condition, New South Wales police said. Det Insp Jason Box said previous attempts had been made on the man's life, including on 13 June. Police alleged conflict between organised crime networks was behind the Auburn shooting and three burnt-out cars discovered in the hours after the incident could be linked. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Box said police believed people 'are being recruited by encrypted devices, social media and word of mouth to commit these offences' and that the method was becoming increasingly 'common'. 'I believe from some of the offenders … some have no connection to organised crime networks until such time as they commit these offences,' Box said. 'I believe it is common and I believe it's increasing.' Police said the Auburn shooters left in a black Audi Q7 with cloned number plates. It was found burnt out in Harris Park on Monday night. Two more vehicles – a white ute and a red commodore with cloned plates – were found burnt out on Tuesday in nearby Greystanes and Merrylands. Box alleged witnesses had reported a white ute – 'with several occupants and their faces covered' – in relation to the 13 June alleged attempt on the man's life. One person in the ute was 'believed to be holding a firearm', Box said. Police are investigating if the commodore is linked. Police said they had spoken to the allegedly targeted 26-year-old on nine occasions, including welfare checks and warning him 'about threats to his life'. Box alleged: 'It's quite obvious how determined they are when you look at yesterday and the continued attempts. This is a fourth attempt on this fellow that we're aware of.' Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion When asked about what has led to the spate of recent shootings in Sydney, Box said: 'There's internal conflict within the organised crime networks for various reasons.' Police and government officials have hosed down suggestions authorities are losing control of the streets. The premier, Chris Minns, said 20 of the 25 organised crime-related murders in NSW since 2021 had resulted in arrests. 'That history proves you'll be caught and, if you're caught, the full force of the law will apply to you,' Minns said. A police taskforce named Falcon has 150 officers working to solve 12 shootings across Sydney since Christmas. The Auburn shooting has been referred to Taskforce Falcon. The woman who was shot twice in the torso is in a stable condition. A 25-year-old man shot in the face is in a critical but stable condition. He is an associate of the 26-year-old man, and was present on the 13 June incident, Box said.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Mother 'orders contract killing of her 12-year-old daughter because she was tired of their constant arguing'
A mother has been detained in Russia after 'ordering the contract killing of her 12-year-old daughter'. She offered a male acquaintance £930 to drown the child in a local river in Chelyabinsk region, according to law enforcement. Unknown to her, the girl was secretly eavesdropping from behind a door and heard her mother's chilling demand to kill her. The woman, named only as Svetlana, 46, cited her bad relationship with her daughter as the reason for her attempt to have the girl killed. She was 'tired' of the 12-year-old's 'bad behaviour' and their 'constant arguments'. After ordering her killing, the mother-of-four sent her daughter out of the house with the man - Andrey, 36 - in Izmailovsky settlement, it is alleged. 'When they were walking along the road, the schoolgirl was very afraid and worried,' reported Shot news outlet, citing law enforcement. 'But the man told her everything and promised to protect her. 'He hid the girl at his home and went to the police.' The woman had offered to pay cash for drowning her in Bolshaya Karaganka River, he told officers. Police detained the woman who faces up to 15 years in jail for incitement to murder a minor, if convicted. She was 'unable to explain her actions' when quizzed by officers. The girl has been placed in care with two siblings, aged 17 and six. The detained woman also has an adult daughter, 18.
CBS News
11-05-2025
- CBS News
Venezuelan fugitive wanted for contract killings of 4 arrested in North Texas, ICE says
A Venezuelan man wanted for the contract killings of four individuals in his home country was arrested in Grapevine earlier this month, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A Venezuelan man wanted for the contract killings of four individuals in his home country was arrested in Grapevine earlier this month, according to ICE. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Anthony Fabian Marin La Torre, 42, was taken into custody on May 2 by ICE and the North Texas Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Strike Force, authorities said in a release on Friday. Marin La Torre illegally entered the United States as part of a family unit on Sept. 26, 2022, through the San Luis port of entry in Arizona, ICE said. On Feb. 18, Venezuelan authorities informed U.S. law enforcement that Marin La Torre was wanted. "This fugitive stands accused of some horrific crimes, further representing a threat in the communities of Texas that we will not tolerate," said Josh Johnson, acting field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Dallas. "ICE Dallas will never relent in our priority of enhancing public safety and arresting and removing criminal alien threats from our streets." Marin La Torre remains in ICE custody, pending removal proceedings. In addition to ICE and the North Texas task force, the operation involved the DEA, FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Venezuelan man wanted for 4 contract killings arrested in Grapevine, ICE says
The Brief A man wanted in the killing of 4 people in Venezuela was arrested in Grapevine. Anthony Fabin Marin La Torre was arrested on May 2. Marin La Torre illegally entered the country on Sept. 26, 2022. GRAPEVINE, Texas - A man wanted in connection to the contract killing of four people in Venezuela was arrested in Grapevine earlier this month, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. What we know Anthony Fabian Marin La Torre, a 42-year-old Venezuelan nation, was wanted by authorities in his home country for his "direct involvement" in the homicide of four people, according to ICE. On Feb. 18, U.S. law enforcement received a notification from Venezuelan authorities that Marin La Torre was wanted for the contract killings. A team that included the DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and ICE Dallas arrested Marin La Torre in Grapevine on May 2. ICE says he illegally entered the United States near the port of entry in San Luis, Arizona on Sept. 26, 2022 with a family. He has been charged as an inadmissible alien and is currently in ICE custody pending removal hearings. What we don't know ICE did not release any further information about the homicides or Marin La Torre's role in them. What they're saying "This fugitive stands accused of some horrific crimes, further representing a threat in the communities of Texas that we will not tolerate," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas acting Field Office Director Josh Johnson. The Source Information in this article comes from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
