THE

Mexican Press

Teen shoots gang members in

protection of his parents
Randey Chung, Staff Reporter
December 11, 2014

Louis a La Eme member , who was

shot during his attempted robbery with
the signature tattoo on his left arm.
Mexico City- A teenage boy protects his
parents from allied gang members. The
group of teens, part of the infamous gang
La Eme were participating in the robbery of
a convenience store. Unfortunately for the
group, the boys parents where shopping
inside, where they were held up at gun point.
In protection of his parents, the young boy
shot the gunmen inside the convenience
store, when he then fled the scene with his
parents unharmed.

Alejandro Martinez, a high school dropout and an ex-gang

member, shoots two of his allied gang members in an
organized robbery at a convenience store. The teen was
assigned to lead the robbery but aborted the mission when
he noticed his parents were in the store. Many eyewitnesses
were in the store where Alejandros parents were being
threatened at gun point. That is when the teenager shot them
in defence of his parents. Alejandro and his parents then fled
the scene before police arrived, leaving the two injured
gunmen at the convenience store for the paramedics.
La Eme have been known to involve teenagers and
children in their criminal activities. Most of these underage
individuals join the gang for a sense of belonging and
economic stability, states Mr. Jefferson, a high school
teacher. Alejandro is viewed by the community as a
friendly, kind and generous individual. His parents work
long hours, leaving Alejandro isolated at home usually by
himself. His family lives in the slums so Alejandro has
responsibilities to assist in the financial aid of his family.
Gangs can provide money that most jobs cannot. One job
can provide more money that a weeks worth of work at
McDonalds. For many this is a dream job. But participation
in such actions one has to be part of the gang. All members
are branded and for many this is a symbol of family, trust,
togetherness and permanence. Once branded by the gang
they are forever bonded to it. La Eme takes this law
seriously. The gangs law is that once branded the only way
to leave is by death. Alejandro has been branded and is
currently under surveillance by the police as protection.
Meanwhile Alejandro is being praised as a hero in his
community for his actions; but is being charged for illegal
weapon possession, attempted theft and property damage.
Locals in the area are trying to raise money to cover the
charges. However, the area is known to be impoverished and
will most likely be unsuccessful in the fundraiser.