Houston gang members allegedly rapped about their violent crimes on social media — until 'massive' FBI arrest



The Federal Bureau of Investigation is touting a "massive" bust of alleged gang members in Houston, Texas, who rapped about their crimes on social media.

About 15 members and associates of the YNS gang were arrested in the bust, according to sources that spoke to KHOU-TV about the operation.

'You may have a chain on, you show your guns in the video, you have flashy cars behind you. ... Nine times out of ten, the chain is fake, the cars are not theirs, and it’s just a front that they're doing for social media.'

The details of the arrests are not publicly available, as they have been sealed.

Police sources say that some of the gang members would rap about their criminal activities and post them to YouTube and other social media sites. These songs are referred to as "drill music," "drill videos," or "drill raps," according to the sources.

The sources identified two rappers allegedly linked to the gang as "Luh Que" and "Dee Fully."

Karlton Harris, executive director of the Forgotten Third anti-violence nonprofit, explained to KHOU that the videos served an important function for the alleged gang: to entice new recruits.

"It’s the flashiness, right, OK, ‘Look at what I got.’ You may have a chain on, you show your guns in the video, you have flashy cars behind you," he said.

"Nine times out of ten, the chain is fake, the cars are not theirs, and it’s just a front that they're doing for social media, but the other individuals don’t know who are seeing that," he added.

The identities of four men nabbed in the operation were revealed after they appeared in court Thursday.

Jacob Barrett, Kristian Winters, Darrell Samson, and Jocquez Frye all appeared in court wearing orange jumpsuits and shackles. Each of the four men are facing four counts that include using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, conspiracy to commit robbery, and two charges linked to controlled substances.

Frye also faces an additional count of possession of a machine gun.

KHOU included a video allegedly tied to the gang in its news video report.

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Here are some of the eloquent lyrics from one video post on the account identifying as Luh Que:

No I ain't running from s**t, wanna know where I'm at? Probably with some killers. My favorite fit all black, you don't even gotta ask, why I'm a well known driller.

The term "driller" in ghetto rap parlance refers to a gang member or a shooter, according to the Urban Dictionary.

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President of Mexico VOWS to take action over lethal ICE shooting of illegal alien in Houston



Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her administration will take legal action against the U.S. after the lethal shooting of a Mexican national who had lived in Texas for decades.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52, was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during a traffic stop in a "targeted enforcement operation" in Houston on Tuesday.

'There's no reason for them to be in detention centers or for violence to be used. So, we're preparing legal measures — obviously, more significant ones.'

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that Araujo refused to follow orders and then tried to run over an officer, who fired at him in self-defense.

Araujo was shot in the stomach and declared dead at a hospital later.

The man's family claimed he had no criminal history and had been applying for legal status for more than a year before the lethal incident.

"Our goal is to go beyond diplomatic notes and what we raised at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, since we cannot allow the mistreatment of our brothers and sisters who are in the United States — our fellow citizens. So we're proposing other measures," Sheinbaum said to reporters on Wednesday.

"There has been another tragic death of a fellow citizen in the United States due to detention issues, when their only 'offense' is not having papers — even though they were hired by a U.S. company. There's no reason for them to be in detention centers or for violence to be used. So, we're preparing legal measures — obviously, more significant ones."

Sheinbaum previously feuded with President Donald Trump over illegal immigration as well as tariffs imposed on her country.

Three other people were detained during the enforcement operation.

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Local leaders immediately called for a transparent investigation into the shooting.

"ICE has released an initial account, but the facts must be independently and thoroughly investigated, including the circumstances that led to the use of deadly force," Democratic Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Texas said.

"There must be a complete and transparent investigation, and my office stands ready to support our community and any local investigation into how this tragedy unfolded," Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin responded.

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ICE officer shoots and kills illegal alien who allegedly tried to run him over during traffic stop in Houston



An Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Houston led to the shooting death of a Mexican illegal alien who allegedly tried to run over officers.

Officers were performing a traffic stop as part of a "targeted enforcement operation to arrest an illegal alien" just before 7 a.m. at the intersection of Canal Street and Wayside Drive, according to an ICE spokesperson.

'All available footage, communications, and other evidence should be preserved and reviewed as part of a full and impartial investigation.'

Rather than pull over, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo reportedly tried to escape in his vehicle and rammed into an ICE vehicle.

ICE said he then "weaponized" his vehicle and tried to run over an officer, who fired in self-defense.

Araujo was struck in the stomach and transported to a hospital, where he was later declared dead.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident, according to ICE, but the FBI said it was investigating the potential assault on a federal officer, not the man's death.

Video reportedly from the incident shows Araujo groaning on the ground near a white van while officers attend to him.

Democratic Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Texas issued a statement about the incident on social media.

"ICE has released an initial account, but the facts must be independently and thoroughly investigated, including the circumstances that led to the use of deadly force," she wrote.

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"All available footage, communications, and other evidence should be preserved and reviewed as part of a full and impartial investigation," she added. "The victim's family, my constituents, and the entire community deserve a complete and transparent accounting of what happened."

Houston City Council Member Alejandra Salinas also called for a "thorough and impartial investigation" into the circumstances of the lethal shooting.

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'Comedian' ambushed homeless, disabled people with high-powered, motorized water guns — and posted videos of his deeds: Cops



Houston Police last week said they arrested a 34-year-old male after investigating multiple cases of disabled and homeless people who'd been shot with high-powered, motorized water guns.

Police said Christopher Cayce — after taunting his victims and posting videos of the incidents on social media — was charged with assault with bodily injury.

'In my eyes this was harmless fun that we all enjoy at one point of life.'

"I'm totally a thousand percent sorry for this, and that's not just saying this because I'm caught," Cayce told KTRK-TV Friday.

Cayce — a "self-described comedian," according to the station — since last summer had been recording videos of himself driving around the Houston area and ambushing people with water guns.

But he was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of assault for spraying two men on June 4, KTRK said.

Many of his targets appeared to be homeless, and police said some of his victims were disabled, the station reported.

A KTRK reporter asked Cayce why he targeted "some of the city's most vulnerable," and he replied, "In my videos, I don't just shoot homeless people."

The station said that in one video he lures a woman to his car with money before spraying her in the face, and in another video he throws food at a man before shooting him with a water gun.

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According to the Houston Chronicle, Cayce also took to Facebook to defend himself.

"I REALLY LOVE THESE PEOPLE I'M NOT A BAD PERSON," he wrote Saturday alongside a video showing him handing food to people from the back of a pickup truck, the paper said, adding that Cayce's post tagged the Houston Police Department.

"I feed these people," Cayce told KTRK. "I gave these people $500 worth of clothes. I don't post all my positive stuff 'cause it don't get views. My channel algorithm was me shooting people with water guns."

The Chronicle said Cayce in another post apologized for his "childish activities" but maintained he never intended to hurt anyone.

"For all the feelings I hurt I do sincerely apologize for my actions," he wrote, the paper said. "In my eyes this was harmless fun that we all enjoy at one point of life."

Cayce also argued that many of those condemning him online ignore the homeless in everyday life, the Chronicle said.

In the KTRK interview, Cayce held up a cross and said, "I just put this in front of the door. I walk and pray every day. Every time I go out, I pray before I go and shoot these people because I really don't want to hurt nobody."

"Believe it or not I keep God first," Cayce also wrote on Facebook, the Chronicle said.

KTRK also pointed out that in one post, Cayce refers to his targets as "zombies," but he told the station that "I'm not calling them zombies because that's what they are. It's all commentary for the content. It's not what I really, truly mean. I love everybody genuinely."

Cayce is set to appear in court Thursday, KTRK reported, and he also said he's done with his water-gun exploits.

"They took all my water guns," he added to the station. "You can go buy more easily, but I told them I'm done with it. I'm not gonna shoot nobody no more."

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Meet the Left-Wing Group Fighting To Eliminate Standardized Test Requirements in Houston

A Houston-based education advocacy group fighting to eliminate standardized test requirements is led by a white left-wing activist who accused the Texas government of racism after it obeyed a state law written by a black Democrat requiring it to replace the city's top school officials.

The post Meet the Left-Wing Group Fighting To Eliminate Standardized Test Requirements in Houston appeared first on .

Headmaster of Elite Houston School Resigns Amid Controversy Over Award to Students Who Erased Israel From Map

The head of an elite Houston private school that counts President George W. Bush and his brother Jeb as alumni is resigning from his post amid controversy over campus antisemitism.

The post Headmaster of Elite Houston School Resigns Amid Controversy Over Award to Students Who Erased Israel From Map appeared first on .

Houston sidesteps mentioning Christian holiday in official message, opts for bizarre euphemism



Yet again, public officials have failed to mention a Christian holiday by name. In this case, the City of Houston has avoided referring to one of the most important Christian holidays of all, opting for a strange replacement in its stead.

On Thursday, the City of Houston account posted a graphic on social media, now seemingly deleted, explaining an office closure ahead of the Triduum.

The graphic seemed to emphasize the words 'Spring Holiday,' since they were both capitalized and written in a different color.

In an otherwise unremarkable announcement, the city said, "Due to the Spring Holiday, City of Houston offices will be closed on Friday, April 3."

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Source image of City of Houston X post

The graphic seemed to emphasize the words "Spring Holiday," since they were both capitalized and written in a different color.

This vague messaging, however, stood out all the more in contrast to another post on Thursday from an associated account.

On the page for the office of Mayor John Whitmire (D), the most recent post, containing a detailed message, wished everyone a happy Passover, one of Judaism's important holidays.

The lengthy post read: "On this second night of Passover, Mayor Whitmire wishes a meaningful and peaceful Passover to all those who celebrate. May this season of reflection and renewal bring strength, gratitude, and time well spent with family and friends."

The City of Houston has likewise celebrated Muslim holidays like Eid Mubarak and Eid al-Adha stretching back several years, a review of the page's timeline revealed.

After facing some scrutiny online, the city appears to have deleted the "Spring Holiday" message. No replacement message has been posted.

Whitmire's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

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'Large human smuggling operation' uncovered in Texas? ICE makes alarming claim about 'alien from India.'



While immigration enforcement has faced some hurdles, including a partial government shutdown, law enforcement has continued to take down criminals. In a major score for Houston Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorities announced the arrest of two people who allegedly ran a major illegal operation.

On Wednesday morning, the official United States Customs and Immigration Services X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts announced the arrest of an "alien from India" and his "spouse" in Texas, where they were allegedly running a "large human smuggling operation."

'He and his spouse were apprehended ... on charges of human smuggling, document fraud, and overstaying their visa.'

"He and his spouse were apprehended at our Houston office by @ICEgov on charges of human smuggling, document fraud, and overstaying their visa," USCIS wrote.

"Human traffickers will be caught and held accountable," the account added.

RELATED: No more 'safe harbor for illegals': Colony Ridge settles with DOJ, Texas

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

A USCIS spokesperson referred Blaze News to ICE for comment since ICE made the arrests.

Blaze News reached out to the DHS, ICE, and its Houston field office for comment but did not receive a response.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Whites not included? Texas Democrat urged certain racial groups to unite against 'same oppressor'



A video of Democratic Texas state Rep. Gene Wu has resurfaced on the internet this week in what one large social media account called a "mask off" moment for the lawmaker.

In a December 31, 2024, episode of "Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas," Wu, an immigrant who was born in China, openly urged minority racial groups to unite against their "same oppressor."

'Because we are the majority in this country now.'

In the video, entitled "In This Texas District, 1/3 of Residents Are Undocumented," Wu was asked about different racial groups' relationship to each other and particularly the relationship between Asians and Latinos.

"It's not just Latinos. It's not just Asians. It's not just African-Americans. It's everybody. Right? We, our country and the forces that be, the powers that be, have spent tremendous time, effort, and money to make sure that those groups are never united, that they always see each other as enemies, as competitors, without ever realizing that they share one thing in common: that their oppressors all are the same," Wu responded.

"The oppression comes from one place," he quickly added.

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Without explicitly saying who these "oppressors" are, Wu made it easy to read between the lines: "I always tell people the day the Latino, African-American, Asian, and other communities realize that they share the same oppressor is the day we start winning. Because we are the majority in this country now. We have the ability to take over this country and to do what is needed for everyone and to make things fair."

"Shame on him," Elon Musk said in response to the clip of Wu, who was first elected to Texas House District 137 near Houston in 2012.

The Daily Wire's Matt Walsh pointed out the rhetorical double standard between Republicans and Democrats, referencing a more recent controversy in which President Trump shared a meme some decried as racist: "So I’m supposed to be outrage[d] about an Obama monkey meme while Democrat elected officials are labeling the entire white race 'oppressors' and openly plotting to conquer and subjugate us? Trump can post all the memes he wants. I really don’t care at all."

The resurfaced video has since garnered nearly 14 million views on X.

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Police identify 4 victims of fatal private jet crash tied to top 'anti-ICE' law firm



Police have identified four of the passengers on board a private jet that crashed shortly after takeoff on the evening of January 25 from Maine's Bangor International Airport.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 belonged to KTKJ Challenger LLC, which is registered to the Arnold & Itkin law firm in Houston, Texas. The firm is led by Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin, two "top anti-ICE/anti-Trump lawyers" who have "made waves fighting conservatives in Texas and defending illegal aliens," according to Steve Robinson, the editor in chief of the Maine Wire.

'He is in Heaven now with Jesus.'

The plane flipped over and caught fire moments after taking off from the airport. The incident occurred as a winter storm rolled through the region, causing heavy snowfall, though it is unclear whether this contributed to the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation is ongoing.

The initial Federal Aviation Administration crash data claimed that at least seven passengers had died and one flight crew member was seriously injured. However, an updated FAA report stated there were six passengers, all of whom were killed.

KTRK-TV reported that the plane took off from Hobby Airport in Houston on the afternoon of January 25, landed safely in Maine, and was set to reach its final destination in France.

A press release from the Bangor Police Department obtained by Blaze News revealed that the Maine Office of Chief Medical Examiner had positively identified four victims, including Kurt Arnold's wife, Tara, an attorney herself. Police also identified Jacob Hosmer, a 47-year-old pilot from Texas; Jorden Reidel, a 33-year-old pilot from Texas; and Shelby Kuyawa, a 34-year-old sommelier from Hawaii.

The OCME is still working to identify the final two victims, the police department stated.

RELATED: Private jet linked to 'top anti-ICE / anti-Trump' lawyers crashes, resulting in 6 fatalities

Photo by Kiran RIDLEY / AFP via Getty Images

"I'm close friends with Kurt and Tara Arnold, and we're still waiting for additional information," Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones previously told KTRK. "Unfortunately, the plane went down [that] evening in Maine, and my heart hurts for them, for their children, and for their families."

"She was a phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a heart of service," Briones added.

A member of Hosmer's family told KTRK, "He is in Heaven now with Jesus."

RELATED: Video shows deadly plane crash at Arizona airport involving jet of '80s rocker

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Associated Press reported that family or others identified the two remaining victims as Shawna Collins, a 53-year-old event planner from Texas, and Nick Mastrascusa, a 43-year-old chef from Hawaii.

Lakewood Church in Houston, which is run by Joel Osteen Ministries, confirmed that Collins, a longtime employee, was one of the victims.

"Everybody loved her. She just had that kind of personality," Donald Iloff Jr., a church spokesperson, told the AP.

Mastrascusa's family told the news outlet, "Nick loved life. He embraced it with joy, humor, compassion, and soul. He believed in connection — in gathering people together, in shared meals, stories, laughter, and simply being there for one another."

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