2 men, a teen arrested in killing of 18-year-old Michael David Grajeda Suazo in Hempstead, police say

Nassau police arrested three people in connection with the June killing of 18-year-old Michael David Grajeda Suazo in Hempstead in June.

Denis Alexander Gonzalez Sorto, 21, and Isaac Lopez Alvarez, 20, of Hempstead, were charged on Friday with second-degree murder, police said. Police also arrested a 17-year-old who they are not naming because of his age. The teen was also charged with second-degree murder. 

The three suspects were arraigned on Saturday at First District Court in Hempstead. Sorto and Alvarez pleaded not guilty and were held without bail, records show. Their attorneys could not be reached.

The three defendants were in the United States illegally, Det. Lt. George Darienzo, commanding officer of the Nassau County Police homicide squad, told reporters on Saturday.

Sorto had a criminal history of burglary and theft in Maryland, and Alvarez has a record of robbery in Nassau, Darienzo said.

Police had been investigating Suazo's killing since it occurred on June 28. The 18-year-old was walking on Fulton Avenue in Hempstead when he was "approached from behind by three masked individuals who stabbed, kicked and beat" him, Darienzo said. Suazo was walking with two 13-year-old kids at the time, he added.

Around 9:30 that night, Suazo was found bleeding in the street outside 545 Fulton Ave. He was transported to the Nassau University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives interviewed two witnesses who called 911 that night. One described someone in need of help, and the other reported someone being stabbed several times, police said. Police also reviewed nearby surveillance camera footage.

Police are still investigating the motive, but Darienzo said the attack was gang related.