BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (AP) – The school year in one suburban New York community has started with funerals, fear and frustration.
Four teenagers from Brentwood High School on Long Island have been found dead within the past month, all suspected victims of gang violence. While police are releasing few details about their investigation, students are saying they’re afraid to walk alone in their community and school administrators are warning students not to wear the wear clothing that could risk offending vicious street thugs.
Alexis Portillo, 16, was devastated when he learned of the killings: “Like, who else is going to be next, you know?”
One Brentwood teen who wouldn’t give his name, saying he feared gang retaliation, said many students are nervous.
“They don’t play around. If they don’t like you and if you do something to them, they will come after you,” he said. “I’m not going to walk anywhere. We’re definitely more cautious about that. I don’t go out at night anymore.”