A youth gang linked to the notorious Venezuelan Tren de Aragua crew is threatening revenge after a 17-year-old migrant was fatally stabbed in a street brawl in Manhattan, authorities reported.
The gang, known as Los Diablos de la 42 (Spanish for “The Devils of 42nd Street”), has been posting menacing messages on social media in response to the fatal altercation that left Yeremi Colino dead last Thursday.
According to NYPD Assistant Chief Jason Savino, the gang expressed both condolences and a chilling threat, stating, “Every Cocolo shot.” The term “Cocolo” refers to Afro-Caribbean migrants, indicating a gang-related dispute.
The incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Broadway near John Street, escalated into a violent confrontation during which Colino was punched, kicked, and stabbed.
A Walgreens employee, witnessing the attack, dragged the bleeding victim into the store, with the knife still embedded in his chest, Savino noted. Colino, who had ID from the Roosevelt Hotel migrant shelter in Midtown, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
An 18-year-old migrant, also injured in the brawl, suffered a non-life-threatening stab wound to the arm.
Savino confirmed that the incident appears to be gang-related, with the victim’s crew reportedly confronting the rivals after they flashed gang signs.
Surveillance footage, however, suggests that the victims’ crew may have initiated the altercation, as they are seen approaching the rival group and even jogging toward them before the fight broke out. Both sides were reportedly armed with weapons, including a knife, two wooden sticks, and a pair of pliers.
Initial reports indicated the suspects may have asked the teen victims if they spoke English before the attack, but Savino later clarified that there is no evidence to support this claim.
NYPD released video footage showing three suspects fleeing the scene and running into the nearby Fulton Street subway station. Still images show the suspects on the train, one of whom is seen from behind with an image of lips on his backpack.
The NYPD is asking anyone with information on the case to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish speakers.