Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer against an 18-year-old El Salvadoran national accused of murder in two fatal Houston shootings. ICE is requesting that Texas authorities notify the agency before releasing the individual, identified as Jefferson Adonay Velasquez-Torres, if he were to be released from custody.
Velasquez-Torres faces murder charges in connection with the death of Noah Ramirez, 27, in an April 27 shooting outside a Houston nightclub. Two other individuals were injured in that incident. He also faces charges for his alleged involvement in an August shooting at a Houston house party that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Angel Garcia. A second suspect, Enrique Aguilar, 19, was arrested in connection with Garcia's death.
In addition to the murder charges, Velasquez-Torres is accused of unlawfully carrying a weapon and aggravated robbery.
According to Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, Velasquez-Torres entered the U.S. illegally as a minor in 2014. He was previously charged in connection with the August murder and is currently being held in the Harris County Jail, where bond has been denied for charges related to the second shooting.
ICE has stated that the suspect would not be in the country if not for prior immigration policies. Texas officials are cooperating with ICE's detainer request to ensure the suspect remains in custody.