CLARKSVILLE, Ind. — In a chilling incident over the weekend, Clarksville police apprehended an alleged member of the notorious MS-13 gang following a severe stabbing attack outside a local restaurant. The attack, which occurred late Friday night, is said to have been targeted, although police clarified that it was not gang-related.
Chief Nathan Walls provided details on the arrest of Mario Rios, who was captured early Sunday morning in Jeffersonville after collaborative efforts between local law enforcement agencies. Rios, known to be associated with MS-13, a group recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, reportedly lay in wait for his victim before inflicting critical injuries with a knife.
The incident happened around 10 p.m. at the intersection of Blackiston Mill Road and Marlowe Drive, where Rios allegedly attacked the victim as he was exiting a restaurant. Police said the victim, who suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest and abdomen, was rushed to a nearby hospital and remains in stable condition, expected to recover.
Investigative efforts led the police to Rios through various cues, including his clothing, distinctive tattoos, and eyewitness accounts from the scene. Rios was found in a residence believed to be his mother’s home in Jeffersonville and was taken into custody without further incident.
In terms of evidence, video footage from a nearby shop’s security camera captured the brutal attack, showing Rios exiting a vehicle, committing the stabbing, and then hastily driving away. According to employees of the restaurant, attempts were made to intervene and stop Rios, which resulted in one individual being dragged by the assailant’s car.
Rios made his initial court appearance Monday afternoon, where his bond was set at $250,000. He faces charges of attempted murder and battery with a deadly weapon, with his preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
This incident marks the first time Clarksville police have dealt with a crime of this magnitude involving an MS-13 member, according to Chief Walls. He emphasized the gravity of the situation and reassured the community of the police’s commitment to maintaining public safety. “We will hunt them,” Walls stated, signaling a robust approach to handling gang-related activities within the area.
This case underlines the broader challenges law enforcement faces with the presence of international gangs like MS-13 in local communities. It also raises concerns about the targeted nature of the attack, highlighting issues of public safety and the need for vigilance in places frequented by residents.
The Clarksville community, while shaken by the events, has been urged to remain alert and report any suspicious activities, as police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and any potential broader implications it may signify.