A recent mall shooting in Farmington has sparked increased policing in neighborhoods amid fears of a new gang war. Aggressive patrols come after the Farmington Police Gang Unit said the shooting at Animas Valley Mall last weekend was gang-related and has caused increased tension among two rival gangs.
Police have arrested 22-year-old Alejandro Ramirez and 28-year-old Luis Ramirez for the shooting death of 25-year-old Benjamin Vialpando.
Farmington police Cpl. David Karst says the Ramirez brothers are gang members.
Police say more than 600 gang members live in San Juan County, and the South Side Locos are the largest gang in the area. The gang unit says the next largest gang is Tortilla Flats.
It was unclear if the Ramirez brothers had attorneys.
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Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.