Gang Member Accused Of Killing Teen Charged With Murder: Police

ANNAPOLIS MD — A 17-year-old reputed gang member has been charged as an adult with murder in an Annapolis teen's death, Anne Arundel County Police say. Marcos Antonio Melendez-Gamez was arrested on a warrant June 18 in the 3600 block of Everett Street in Baltimore. He is charged with first- and second-degree murder in the 2017 death of Neris Goivani Bonilla-Palacios.

Melendez-Gamez, of the 1000 block of Martha Court in Annapolis, is being held without bond in the Anne Arundel County Detention Center.

Bonilla-Palacios, 17, from the 600 block of Severn Island Court in Annapolis, went missing from his residence on Aug. 5, 2017, and was reported missing to the Annapolis Police Department two days later. Human remains found on Oct. 3 in the Annapolis area were identified as Bonilla-Palacios, who was targeted by gangs, Anne Arundel County Police said.

Authorities received a tip that led them to human remains in a wooded area near Open View Lane in Annapolis. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore said the remains showed evidence of trauma and the manner of death was homicide.

Evidence leads homicide detectives to believe that Bonilla-Palacios was murdered about the time of his disappearance in a gang-related crime and he was not a random act of violence.

Anne Arundel County Police ask anyone with information to call the Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731. To remain anonymous call the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line at 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Photo of Marcos Antonio Melendez-Gamez, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police