This gang has no national alliance to the people or folk nation. They began as a result of the El Salvador civil war. Refugees fled to the United States and had some connections to La Mara, a street gang in El Salvador. They initially formed as a result of Mexican-American gang that showed prejudice and opposition to El Salvadorian refugees. The number 13 was added as a tribute to the California prison gang, the Mexican Mafia. MS-13 is listed as the FBI’s most dangerous street gang in America. The machete continues to be their weapon of choice, and unlike other gangs, their members continue to be strictly El Salvadorians. Northern Virginia has one of the largest MS-13 populations to date. Although MS-13 has not been recognized in the Peninsula area, we cannot deny our proximity to other locations where this gang is thriving. Physical indicators include:
MS-13
The color blue
Devil’s horns
Tattoos (the higher the tattoo, the higher the rank
