Mint Hill Police arrested Luis Marcano-Marcano, a Venezuelan national identified as a known member of the Tren de Aragua gang, after an incident at his home resulted in his pregnant wife accidentally shooting herself and killing their unborn child, according to an April 13 statement from the department.
The case has drawn attention due to both the circumstances of the shooting and Marcano-Marcano’s reported gang affiliation. Authorities placed him under an immigration detainer following his arrest on a charge of discharging a firearm within city limits, as they reviewed his status and pending warrants in Venezuela.
The WCNC Charlotte article reported on the arrest by Mint Hill Police of Marcano-Marcano based on details from a police report and court records obtained by the outlet. The incident occurred at the couple’s home in Mint Hill after a birthday party that continued into the early morning hours when officers were notified by hospital staff of the woman arriving with a gunshot wound to the stomach. The case involved an immigration detainer placed on the suspect as authorities reviewed his status according to WCNC Charlotte.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Operation Charlotte’s Web in the Charlotte area resulted in the arrest of over 130 illegal aliens in just two days, including two known gang members with criminal records for aggravated assault, assault on a police officer, battery, driving under the influence, and hit-and-run. This enforcement action targeted criminal illegal aliens in the region that includes Mecklenburg County and Mint Hill and addressed public safety concerns tied to immigration violations in North Carolina communities according to DHS.
The Department of Justice reported that federal authorities have indicted over 260 members of Tren de Aragua since January 20, 2025, in connection with violent crimes including murder, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, and controlled substance trafficking. The gang operates as a transnational criminal organization that exploits migration routes to bring drugs and chaos into American communities across multiple states. This nationwide crackdown underscores federal efforts to dismantle the group responsible for serious offenses in the United States according to DOJ.
The Mint Hill Police Department serves the town of Mint Hill, North Carolina, and maintains a mission to fulfill its duties in a fair, professional, and dignified manner while inspiring and maintaining the public’s confidence and trust. The department currently employs 49 sworn officers along with support staff and focuses on partnerships with citizens to enhance the quality of life through effective service and uncompromising integrity. It operates from its headquarters at 7151 Matthews-Mint Hill Road and provides around-the-clock protection to the local community according to Mint Hill Police Department.
