Photo: Getty Images
An alleged accomplice has been arrested in relation to the murder of a TikTok influencer who was killed during a livestream after denouncing the Tren de Aragua gang and corrupt police officers.
Pierina Uribarri, who was described as the partner of alleged gunman Adrian Romero, was charged with intentional homicide, criminal association and terrorism in relation to the broadcasted fatal shooting of Jesus Sarmiento, Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced on Instagram via CBS News.
Arrest warrants were issued for Romero, as well as Wilbert Gonzalez and Gerald Nieto, who police described as two other alleged perpetrators in the incident. Sarmiento, who had more than 77,000 TikTok followers, was livestreaming at a residence where he was staying when a banging on the door and a woman's screams for "help" were heard in the background.
"They shot me, they shot me," Sarmiento was heard saying before blood is shown on the floor during the broadcast.
Two armed men were visible before the livestream concluded. Sarmiento had spoken out against Tren de Aragua gang leader Hector Rusthenford Guerrero, also known by the alias 'Nino Guerrero,' in posts on his TikTok account. Guerrero is one of Venezuela's most wanted criminals, with the U.S. State Department offering a $5 million reward for information that could potentially lead to his arrest and conviction.
Sarmiento also shared photos and videos of alleged Tren de Aragua members, as well as alleged extortion being committed by corrupt police officers. The Venezuelan government claims to have dismantled Tren de Aragua and denies its existence while the United States has labeled it as a "terrorist" organization.