Ariela 'La Langosta' Mejia‑Polanco was found dead in her black Acura near the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon on 17 August. The 33‑year‑old Dominican‑American influencer, known for her online persona 'La Langosta' and her friendship with rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, had been shot several times; while a wounded 25‑year‑old man was discovered nearby and taken to hospital. Westchester County police said the attack appeared targeted.
The shocking killing has reignited interest in Mejia‑Polanco's life and links to the treacherous world of rap‑industry gangs. She built a following on Instagram and TikTok with comedic posts and occasionally appeared in videos with Tekashi 6ix9ine. Investigators are now exploring whether her close relationship with the controversial rapper and her previous cooperation with authorities may have made her a target.
What happened
Around 1:30 a.m. on 17 August, police in Mount Vernon received reports of a car stopped on an access road near the Cross County Parkway. Inside the vehicle officers found Mejia‑Polanco unresponsive with gunshot wounds. A man, reportedly a passenger, had also been shot but survived. Detectives recovered multiple shell casings and concluded the shooter fled before emergency services arrived. Mejia‑Polanco was pronounced dead at the scene.
Where and who was she
Mejia‑Polanco was found near the merge of East Lincoln Avenue and the Cross County Parkway, a busy motorway linking the Bronx and Westchester County. The area is a mix of industrial buildings and residential streets. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Upper Manhattan, Mejia‑Polanco cultivated a sizeable following as 'Ariela La Langosta'. She posted comedic skits and lifestyle content and had more than 160,000 Instagram followers. Her social‑media fame was amplified by her friendship with Tekashi 6ix9ine (legal name Daniel Hernández). The rapper, who has millions of followers, featured her in several posts, and they were photographed together frequently.
Why she might have been targeted
Investigators have not confirmed a motive, but Mejia‑Polanco's past may hold clues. In 2018 she was kidnapped by members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods Tekashi 6ix9ine's former gang—after they mistook her for one of the rapper's girlfriends. She later testified about the ordeal during a federal racketeering case against the gang. Tekashi 6ix9ine also co‑operated with prosecutors, and his testimony put several gang members behind bars. Police are exploring whether revenge for that cooperation or lingering gang animosity played a role. Friends of Mejia‑Polanco have told reporters she feared retaliation and had moved several times. Her lawyer described her as a 'soft‑spoken and kind' woman who wanted to leave that chapter behind.
How is the investigation unfolding
The Westchester County District Attorney's Office is overseeing the investigation. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and the parkway, and ballistics experts are examining the shell casings. No arrests have been made. Police said the gunman may have approached on foot before firing at close range. Investigators have appealed for witnesses and have not ruled out any motives, including gang retaliation or a personal dispute. Tekashi 6ix9ine has not publicly addressed the killing.
Broader context
The death of Ariela 'La Langosta' Mejia‑Polanco highlights the dangers faced by influencers with ties to high‑profile figures linked to criminal activity. It also underscores the ongoing issue of gun violence in New York's suburbs, where shootings have increased this year. While police work to identify her killer, Mejia‑Polanco's fans mourn a young woman whose online persona brought laughter to thousands and whose life ended far too soon.
