A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly killing eight people in a drug-related act that took place on January 22 in Mexico City, the Associated Press has reported. Though the child's real name has not been released, he's been referred to as "El Chapito," or Little Chapo, an apparent reference to the infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman who is currently in prison for his crimes.
Now the story is making headlines around the world and once again sounding the alarm about the many disturbing ways children are used as pawns by the Mexican drug cartel.
The allegations being leveled against the teen are horrific
Sadly, there are many more stories just like this one
In 2010, another 14-year-old boy who was nicknamed "El Ponchis" (or "The Cloak") made headlines for similar offenses. At the time, the teen said that he'd been kidnapped at age 11 and forced to work for another drug gang against his will. It was then that he allegedly participated in at least four different killings where victims were tortured and decapitated.
The teen was eventually arrested, found guilty, and imprisoned in Mexico City, but in 2013 he was released and sent to live in the U.S.
As for the January massacre, other arrests have also been made
Mexican authorities have also arrested someone by the name of El Ñoño in connection with the killing, along with nine other gang members who have not been identified.
According to People, investigators were only able to track down the alleged hitmen after arresting their gang leader, 28-year-old "El Lenguas," on February 25.
