Texas police have arrested three individuals with ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of 33-year-old Nilzult Petit, whose body was found in Irving, Texas, on August 24. Petit was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head, and two young children, reportedly related to him, were found wandering alone along the IH-35E highway service road.

According to FOX 4 Dallas, authorities say Petit and the children were allegedly kidnapped by four Venezuelan nationals and taken to an apartment in Farmers Branch, Texas, where Petit was executed. The children were then reportedly abandoned on a nearby service road.

Farmers Branch police have apprehended three suspects: 38-year-old Ehiker Alexander Morales Mendoza, 25-year-old Carlos Luis Zambrano Bolivar, and 22-year-old Jhonata Nahin Toro Gonzalez. The three men face charges of capital murder and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. Authorities continue to search for a fourth suspect, 29-year-old Jhonny Jesus Martinez Serrano.

Investigators believe Petit had been working with the suspects on an ATM theft scheme and that he was targeted after allegedly failing to pay his accomplices. Bolivar and Gonzalez were detained by ICE agents in Aurora, Colorado, while Mendoza was apprehended by Homeland Security in New Mexico.

Aurora, Colorado, has recently seen increased activity from Tren de Aragua, with surveillance footage showing members involved in criminal operations. While both Petit and the suspects were reportedly connected to the gang, police have stated that this incident was not directly gang-motivated.

The suspects are currently awaiting extradition from Colorado and New Mexico.