U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has filed an arrest detainer for Aristides Eli Orellana-Ramirez, a Salvadoran national accused of killing two teenagers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the shooting occurred on December 20, 2025. The victims, Bravlio Galeano Ayala, 16, and Samir Canales Molina, 18, were found more than six miles apart but are believed to have been shot at the same location during the same incident before attempting to seek help.
Local reports indicate that the shootings happened around 3:30 a.m. in southwest Charlotte. Detectives believe both teens were “shot at the same location during the same incident and then traveled away from the scene in an attempt to find help.”
Orellana-Ramirez is alleged to have entered the United States illegally at an unknown time and place without inspection by immigration authorities.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the case: “Another tragic loss of life at the hands of a criminal illegal alien. The two male victims were just 16 and 18 years old, both with a whole life ahead of them. Their lives were ripped away in moments by a criminal illegal alien who should have NEVER been in our country in the first place,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.“ICE lodged an arrest detainer. Unfortunately, North Carolina’s sanctuary politicians often REFUSE to allow us into their jails and release these known criminals back into American communities. President Trump and Secretary Noem launched Operation Charlotte’s Web to target these criminals and get them out of American neighborhoods.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that its law enforcement officers work daily to prevent similar tragedies across U.S. communities.
Victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants can seek assistance from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by calling 1-855-488-6423.
Sanctuary policies in North Carolina reportedly prevented nearly 1,400 ICE detainers from being honored recently, resulting in individuals facing criminal charges being released back into local communities rather than transferred to federal custody.
