Evidence suggests there may have been gang activity in the woods where a body was found in Northwest D.C. Saturday.
A fisherman found the body about 6:30 p.m. in a wooded area about a half mile from the Chain Bridge, which connects Clara Barton Parkway in D.C. to George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia.
Police searched the area with a dog Monday, looking for clues, including the weapon.
On Tuesday, investigators focused on blue and white bags tied to trees marking a trail leading to an enclave in the woods also surrounded by blue and white bags. Forensics experts removed the bags as evidence.
Blue and white are the colors of MS-13.
The Metropolitan Police Department has the lead in the investigation but is talking to the FBI.
The killer bludgeoned the victim with something like a machete, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said.
The victim had traumatic injuries to his body, head and neck, police said. One of his hands was cut off and the other was barely intact.
The body was discovered near popular walking and biking trails. The Cheseapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath runs directly under Chain Bridge.
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Police believe the victim was Hispanic and between the ages of 16 and 30. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and white sneakers.
Anyone who was in the area Saturday who may have seen something should contact police.
