ICE Chicago captures shooters in December 2024 mass shooting tied to Tren de Aragua gang

CHICAGO — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the arrests of the shooters involved in the Dec. 2, 2024, mass shooting at a house party in Chicago predominantly attended by Venezuelan nationals. This incident resulted in multiple injuries and the loss of three lives. Authorities believe the shooting was perpetrated by members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

One of the suspected shooters, Venezuelan national Ricardo Granadillo Padilla, 25, was arrested on Feb. 8 by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Chicago and Raleigh, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Raleigh, U.S Border Patrol Tactical Unit, the U.S. Marshals Service, and CBP Air and Marine Operations in Raleigh, North Carolina. Granadillo Padilla is currently in federal custody after being sentenced in March 2025 for illegally entering the United States in 2022 near El Paso, Texas. Multiple firearms, high-capacity magazines, narcotics, and fraudulent documents were seized in January 2025 from Granadillo Padilla’s residence in Chicago. During his arrest in Raleigh, North Carolina, a pistol, ammunition, and other evidentiary items were also seized.

Another suspected shooter, Venezuelan national Edward Martinez Cermeno, 24, was arrested on Jan. 26 by ICE HSI Chicago and the CBP Office of Border Patrol in Schaumburg, Illinois. Martinez Cermeno was initially released by a federal magistrate judge in Illinois following a federal detention hearing but was then re-arrested by ICE HSI Chicago on administrative immigration charges for being illegally present in the United States. He is currently in federal custody facing criminal charges for illegally entering the United States in 2023 near Eagle Pass, Texas.

Over the past weeks, sixteen additional TdA members and associates of the shooters in the Chicago area and Raleigh, North Carolina were arrested by ICE HSI Chicago on immigration charges.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety on X at @HSIChicago.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)