Longmont police have arrested four suspected gang members they believe instigated the beating and stabbing death of a 17-year-old boy.
Martin Garcia was found with multiple stab wounds in the abdomen Saturday evening in the 200 block of 21st Avenue following the attack involving several suspected members of the Norteños street gang.
Authorities say Garcia was beaten with bats and clubs and stabbed with a samurai sword.
Adam Mizones, 21, is being held for investigation of second-degree murder and first-degree assault, said police Cmdr. Craig Earhart. A 17-year-old boy was arrested for investigation of second-degree assault, Earhart said.
Two Longmont brothers, also purported members of the gang, were arrested Tuesday for allegedly taking part in the attack, Earhart said. They were identified as David Rodriguez Jr., 20, and Joseph Rodriguez, 18.
Police found the wounded Garcia in the middle of the street. He died later at an area hospital.
More suspects will probably be arrested and charged with crimes related to their roles in the attack, Earhart said. Mizones and the arrested juvenile were the primary participants in the beating, he said.
Six or seven suspected gang members attacked Garcia as he got out of his car and was walking to a friend’s house across the street, Earhart said.
The suspects included a gang member who had earlier been beaten, possibly by the victim, Earhart said. The earlier beating probably was the motivation for the attack, he said.
Garcia’s family said although he had earlier been involved with the Sureños street gang, he had left the gang, Earhart said.
During a traffic stop Sunday at 10:45 p.m., authorities found a samurai sword in Mizones’ car. He was originally arrested on charges of carrying a concealed weapon.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
