Louisville, KY. — A suspected gang member was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with attempted murder following a violent confrontation in Clarksville, Indiana, the previous evening. The Clarksville Police Department responded to the scene of the attack around 10 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Blackiston Mill Road and Marlowe Drive, where officers discovered a victim with serious injuries.
According to Police Chief Nathan Walls, the incident stemmed from a confrontation that escalated into a targeted attack. The victim, a man whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly stabbed twice and slashed across the chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Law enforcement officials later identified the suspect as 28-year-old Mario Rios, whom they believe to be affiliated with the notorious MS-13 gang based on tattoos found on his body. MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha 13, is classified by the U.S. Department of Justice as a violent and highly organized criminal group, heavily involved in illegal enterprises across the nation.
Rios was apprehended several hours later in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where police believe he may have been staying at a residence with his mother. The arrest came after a search of the area and multiple witness accounts that helped authorities track him down.
Chief Walls praised the efforts of the officers and detectives, stating, “We’ve got hunters, and when somebody commits a crime against a person with bodily damage, our officers and our detectives are going to be out, and they did fantastic work all night long.”
In the wake of Rios’ arrest, authorities are continuing to investigate the possibility that he is connected to other gang members in the region. Walls acknowledged that the presence of MS-13 in the area is part of a larger, national issue, and emphasized that the department is committed to addressing gang violence.
When asked about the gang’s presence in Clarksville, Chief Walls stated, “To say that he was the only one in the region, and we got him, I mean, that would be naive on our part. We want the people of this community to know and feel safe, and we’re working hard to root out these situations.”
The Clarksville Police Department is also working with federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to verify Rios’ citizenship status. Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull stated that ICE is actively involved in the investigation, as authorities continue to examine Rios’ background and potential gang ties.
Rios is currently being held on a $250,000 full-cash bond and faces preliminary charges of attempted murder. Prosecutor Mull indicated that while authorities are investigating Rios’ connection to MS-13, it has not yet been confirmed whether he is a member of the gang. “The MS-13 gang is a group that has a reputation for involvement in illegal acts and violent activities in communities,” Mull said. “As of now, we are actively looking into this matter.”
According to police, the incident appears to have been isolated, with Rios and the victim known to each other. However, authorities have not elaborated on the specifics of their relationship.
Rios is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, where further details about the case may be revealed. Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
