In a brutal attack a teenage Guatemalan immigrant from South Florida was bludgeoned to death. Police later apprehended his killers, crediting the department's strong relationship with the Latino community for the speedy investigation.

Eighteen-year-old Onesimo Marcelino Lopez-Ramos was killed on April 18 in the town of Jupiter, according to a Jupiter Police Department statement. The young Guatemalan had been struck with a blunt object, which later was revealed to be a rock, at around 1:40 a.m.

In a Facebook post, the local police department announced it had arrested three suspects connected to Lopez-Ramos' murder: 19-year-old David M. Harris, 18 year-old Jesse Harris and 19 year-old Austin L. Taggart. The three men were arrested on April 24 in Jupiter without incident and have all been charged with first-degree murder.

"This case is also being investigated as a possible hate crime and additional investigative procedures are currently underway," the police added.

According to the Sun Sentinel, Lopez-Ramos, his brother, and a friend were relaxing outside when they were approached by five men. Though they were at first having an amicable conversation, it quickly turned and the Guatemalan immigrants attempted to flee. But, Lopez-Ramos was struck in the back of the head.

"(The) suspects in this case specifically targeted members of Hispanic community, they sought them out and this young man was ultimately killed as this crime unfolded," said Jupiter Police Chief Frank Kitzerow, according to WPBF.

When questioned by police, Taggart said Harris had been laughing when he said he was "guat hunting," meaning the group was deliberately targeting Guatemalans to assault and rob.

In the press conference Chief Kitzerow explained: "It began as a premeditated robbery," but "they ended up killing him," reports the Sun Sentinel.

According to WPTV, the police department credited the ties between the Latino community and police in helping expedite the investigation. The community felt comfortable coming forward and providing testimony to the police, which have been making attempts to establish ties with them.