Queens Gang Leader Charged With Ordering Nassau Teen's Murder

The leader of a Queens gang was arraigned today and charged with ordering the murder of a 15-year-old Hempstead teen.

Junior Zelaya-Canales, a regional leader of the 18th Street gang, was arraigned on a fourth superseding indictment charging him with murder in aid of racketeering in connection with the September 2016 fatal shooting of 15-year-old Josue Guzman in Hempstead, as well as other charges.

“The superseding indictment and arrests announced today are a significant step in dismantling a violent street gang in our district,” said United States Attorney Richard Donoghue. “This office, with the assistance of local and federal law enforcement partners, will not relent until violent street gangs that endanger communities have been eradicated.”

According to Donoghue, Zelaya-Canales allegedly told two lower-level gang members to kill Josue Guzman to demonstrate their allegiance to the 18th Street Gang. Donoghue said that the murder was ordered because Guzman was believed to have offended 18th Street gang members.

Guzman was killed on Sept. 12, 2016 around 1 a.m. The Hempstead Police Department responded to the intersection of Linden and Laurel avenues for a Shot Spotter notification. They found Guzman's body lying near the curb. He had been shot once in the back of the head.

Guzman was a 10th grader at Uniondale High School when he was murdered. His father, Raul, said his son was not a gang member.

"It defies comprehension these gang members are allegedly murdering and attempting to murder human beings for respect in their gang or in retaliation for some perceived slight,” said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney. “Josue Guzman was just 15 years old when he was shot and killed because someone deemed him to be disrespectful. We may never be able to change the mindlessness of a teenager being killed for no reason, but we can certainly make sure anyone who commits such a grotesque act will suffer the consequences.”