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Anti-gang group gives money to families of Newark victims

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

(Newark, NJ - WABC, August 22, 2007) (WABC) -- There is growing evidence that the execution-style murders of three college students in Newark were connected to gang activity.

So far, six suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders.

New Jersey reporter Anthony Johnson has the latest on the investigation.

For weeks now, officials have been saying that there was no gang connection to the murders on August 4. But more and more evidence keeps coming forward that suggests that gangs may be involved.

A local organization that works to keep kids out of gangs came up with $50,000 in reward money that they are now offering to those who need it most.

The families of the victims received a small token Wednesday when a group called the Street Warriors presented each family with $15,000 to help meet their needs in the wake of this tragedy. But even members of this group feel the attack has some gang overtones.

"The mayor's office, the police department, they might not want to convey to the public that it was gang related because it would create a hostile environment," said Abdul Muhammed, of Street Warriors.

The money was appreciated, but the pain and agony has not started to wane.

"It's a conflict to me that I have strangers that open their hearts to me and understand what I'm going through," said Shalga Hightower, the mother of one of the victims.

Even while Rodolfo Godinez waits in protective custody for an extradition hearing, a source tells Eyewitness News that the evidence appears to be growing that he is an MS-13 gang leader who ordered the murderers of the three college students.

Some who knew the suspects say they were destined for trouble.

"They'd just mess with anybody," an acquaintance of the suspects said. "They don't care if they're Spanish, black, white, they'd mess with anybody. They don't care who it is."

In addition, a source tells Eyewitness News that there are more troublesome details about the murders of Iofemi Hightower, Doshen Harvey and Terrance Aeriel, and the attempted murder of Natasha Aeriel. It appears that the women were also the victims of sexual attacks.

Authorities believe at least one was groped, which apparently escalated the tension and led to a knife attack and, finally, the executions.

Some other news broke Wednesday afternoon. One of the suspects charged in the murder could be back in New Jersey tomorrow.

Authorities in Virginia say Alexander Alfaro has agreed to waive extradition. The 16-year-old is charged as juvenile with three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and other charges.

Alfaro was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, on Saturday. His half-brother, Godinez, is still fighting extradition in Maryland.

And because of the murders, New Jersey's attorney general has ordered all state law enforcement agencies to notify federal immigration officials whenever an illegal immigrant is arrested.

Prosecutors and courts must also be notified.

Attorney General Anne Milgram said the state needs to have a uniform state policy on such notifications. Before today's order, state law enforcement agencies used their own discretion concerning notification.

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