Police arrest Medellin massacre suspect

Police said Monday they have arrested an 18-year-old gang member known as “Checho” for his role in a massacre in the northwest of the city last year.

The suspect, “Checho,” is allegedly the second in command of the gang Los Machacos, who police believe were responsible for the murder of five people in a shooting in the neighbourhood of Miramar.

On September 19 last year, a group of men armed with pistols and a sub-machine gun pulled up outside a local bar in a stolen taxi and began to fire indiscriminately at locals who were at the bar at the time.

Two men, a woman and two children were killed in the assault, which also left eight people injured.

Police claim Checho had been hiding in Santa Marta but returned to Medellin eight days ago to celebrate his 18th birthday with his family and to retake his place with Los Machacos.

The alleged assassin will face charges of multiple murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, illegal arms possession and aggravated theft

Official reports state Los Machacos, together with Los Mondongueros, are currently involved in a confrontation with several other Medellin gangs, including La Oficina del 12 and La Conejera.