Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

[Note: Materials shown at the press conference are available here.]

Thirty-Six Alleged Members of Two Rival Brownsville-Based
Gangs Charged in Two Indictments

36 Shootings, One of Them Fatal, And 10 Non-Fatal Victims,
Including an Innocent Bystander; In Separate Incident Alleged Rival Viciously
Stomped in Gang Assault in the Vicinity of Downtown Brooklyn Courts

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, today announced that 36 alleged members of two rival street gangs known as WOOO and CHOO have been variously charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to possess weapons, and other related charges including murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment, and weapons possession. The indictments include charges related to 36 shootings that resulted in 11 victims, including one who died as a result of his injuries. One innocent bystander was struck while putting out the trash.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This takedown is one part of our comprehensive strategy to drive down shootings and homicides across Brooklyn. These defendants were allegedly responsible for a remarkable amount of gunfire, with 36 shootings that terrorized Brownsville residents. Our success in focusing on the drivers of crime such as those charged in this indictment, while also working with community groups on preventative efforts, led to record low gun violence in Brooklyn last year with major declines in Brownsville that continued into this year. I commend the NYPD and our prosecutors for their tireless work in keeping our communities safe.”

NYPD Commissioner Tisch said, “The indictments announced today are the culmination of a long-term investigation into some of the most violent criminals in New York City. Their vicious campaign of retaliation and retribution — waged with absolutely no regard for human life — turned every slight into a shootout and terrorized these communities for years. Now, thanks to the targeted, precision policing of the NYPD, these gang members and dozens of guns are off our streets. This is all because of the tireless work of the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division and our partners in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.”

The defendants were arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Craig Walker and Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on two separate indictments in which they are variously charged with first-, second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and related charges. There are a total of 188 counts in the indictments against 36 defendants – 16 alleged WOOO members and 20 alleged CHOO members.

The District Attorney said the indictments are the result of a long-term investigation by the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the New York City Police Department’s Gun Violence Suppression Division that started in March 2023 and continued through the present. The investigation focused on two street gangs that operate out of several neighboring housing complexes in Brownsville.

On one side is the WOOO/780 alliance, based in the Seth Low Houses, Van Dyke Houses, Langston Hughes Houses, Noble Drew Ali Plaza, and Brownsville Houses. WOOO is made up of numerous subsets, including the larger Gorilla Stone Bloods and Bloodhound Brim Bloods and small neighborhood crews including Young Risk Takers and Brothers Over Everything, and “780” which refers to a neighborhood crew that predominantly operates out of Noble Drew Ali Plaza.

On the other side of the rivalry is CHOO, based in the Tilden Houses, Howard Houses, Marcus Garvey Village, Newport Gardens, and Riverdale Towers; similarly, CHOO is made up of a collection of gangs, including Folk Nation (also known as Gangster Disciples), Hoodstarz, and the smaller crews Trained to Floxk and Prepared for Anything.  Some WOOO- and CHOO-controlled housing complexes are located on the same street.

The investigation revealed that the acts of violence charged in the indictment, including 35 shootings and one homicide, were motivated by a rivalry between the two alliances of the Brownsville street gangs, the WOOO and the CHOO alliance. The alliances, which were not a single unified gang, but rather a network of distinct gangs or neighborhood crews that operate in alignment based on the shared objectives of establishing and maintaining geographic control and dominance over a shared territory, exacting revenge for violence against the alliance’s members and associates, and working to further enhance the status, prestige, and reputation of their particular group.

While it is alleged that the two groups regularly exchange taunts over music videos and on social media, they also consistently travel to one another’s territory to inflict actual violence.

During the conspiracy period covered in the indictment, there was allegedly one fatal shooting by a WOOO defendant that took the life of a perceived rival, Tahriq Thompson, 34, and 17 shootings involving alleged WOOO defendants which resulted in four non-fatal victims and 13 shootings with no one injured.

Furthermore, the indictment variously charges CHOO defendants with 18 alleged shootings that included six non-fatal shootings with six victims, including one innocent bystander and 12 additional shootings in which no one was injured. Two CHOO members are also charged with gang assault in connection with the stomping of a perceived rival gang member in Downtown Brooklyn.

It is alleged that many of the acts of violence were captured on surveillance videos. Furthermore, it is alleged that the defendants boasted about their criminal activities on social media and in music videos.

The homicide charged in the indictment took place on June 29, 2025, at approximately 2:56 a.m., in front of 280 Riverdale Avenue. It is alleged that WOOO defendant Jaden Grant and an unidentified accomplice walked to Riverdale Towers (CHOO territory). The unidentified accomplice allegedly fired multiple shots in the vicinity of 280 Riverdale Avenue, then handed the gun to Grant, who allegedly fired several times before both fled the area. Tariq Thompson, 34, a perceived rival, was struck in the left shoulder. The bullet caused perforations to his lungs and aorta, and he later died.

Other significant incidents that are charged as part of the conspiracies include:

• • On April 22, 2023, at approximately 2:48 p.m., CHOO defendant Bryan Ramos and two unidentified accomplices allegedly went to rival WOOO territory, the Van Dyke Houses, and approached a playground where children were playing and fired multiple rounds across the playground and fled the scene. No one was struck and children can be seen on surveillance videos scrambling to safety to avoid the bullets.

• • On August 1, 2023, at approximately 3:51 p.m., WOOO defendant Deshawn Nimmons (who previously pleaded guilty and is not included in this indictment) walked with a group from Noble Drew Ali Plaza in WOOO territory to Champion Cutz, a barbershop located at 557 Chester Street, where he spotted alleged CHOO rival Jeffrey Thomas inside the barbershop. Nimmons pulled a mask over his face, removed a gun from his sweatshirt and fired into the barbershop, according to surveillance videos. Seconds later, it is alleged, Thomas emerged from the barbershop and returned fire at the group. Instead, he struck a 69-year-old innocent bystander in the torso while he was putting out his trash. Nimmons fled the scene and three blocks from the barbershop allegedly shot a 22-year-old CHOO member in the right arm.

• • On June 12, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., video surveillance allegedly depicts CHOO members Marvellous Ehigiator, Nasir Wade and Tristan McFarlane (who previously pleaded guilty and is not included in this indictment) chasing after a 17-year-old alleged WOOO rival. They chased him into the vicinity of One Metrotech. Wade allegedly caught the victim, threw him to the ground and video surveillance depicts the three of them kicking the victim about his body and head, and Wade jumping with his full body and stomping on the victim’s head. The victim suffered a brain bruise, traumatic brain injury and right lower extremity weakness, and had to undergo extensive rehab to relearn how to use his right leg.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detectives Justin Vazquez, Frank Aliberti, Ibrahim Cisse, and Andre O’Hara, of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Michael Lassen. Detective Michael Fung of the 73^rd Precinct assisted with the investigation.

The District Attorney thanked the following for their assistance on the case: Digital Evidence Lab Analysts Brooke Allen, Tim Brown, Taylor Mumley, and Sindy Pelaez, under the supervision of Unit Chief Jingu Chong; Paralegals Myles Edwards, Abigail Marshall, Catherine Prigov, Tania Lopez, and Shanoy Williams, under the supervision of Supervising Paralegal Marta Kuklik; members of the District Attorney’s School Advocacy Bureau; and KCDA Detective Investigators.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Winnie Choi, Uchechukwu Enwereuzor, Marjeta Nikolovski, Michael Pesin-Virovets, Lara Litton, and Ashley Thompson, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Gillian DiPietro, First Deputy Bureau Chief Jennifer Cilia, and Bureau Chief Alfred DeIngeniis.

#

An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

 

DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

WOOO Members:

1. 1. Jamir Barnett, 20
   2. Amir Bryant, 17
   3. Kemari Chance, 19
   4. Anijah Dicks, 23
   5. Kadir Ellison, 18
   6. Jaden Grant, 19
   7. Azir Holliman, 17
   8. Zhaimere Jackson, 18
   9. Amari Johnson, 18
   10. Nahjaa Lawrence, 16
   11. Wynique Lawrence, 18
   12. Darrell Moore, 21
   13. Delor Scarboro, 27
   14. Unique Sparks, 20
   15. Dayshawn Taylor, 21
   16. Prince Teran, 18

CHOO Members

1. 1. Paul Moore, 25
   2. Malik Williams, 20
   3. Quavon Hall, 20
   4. Bryan Ramos, 18
   5. Marvellous Ehigiator, 18
   6. Jeffrey Thomas, 20
   7. Derek Burnett, 19
   8. Naheem Record, 18
   9. Kareem Shepherd, 19
   10. Malachi Demery, 19
   11. Kheyden Graham, 16
   12. Jacob Whitaker, 17
   13. Nathaniel Boston, 17
   14. Jamel Wright, 17
   15. Nasir Wade, 18
   16. Trillion Brown, 16
   17. Jeremiah Johnson, 17
   18. Miles Jordan, 18
   19. Dwayne Sutton, 19
   20. Emilio Cruz, 16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Murder and Other Charges for
Shooting That Killed Infant, Wounded Toddler Brother

Defendant Allegedly Drove Moped as Co-Defendant Fired into Crowd,
Killing Seven-Month-Old and Grazing Her Two-Year-Old Brother While Both Were in Stroller

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man, Mathew Rodriguez, has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder, assault and related counts in connection with a fatal shooting that killed a seven-month-old baby, Kaori Patterson-Moore, and wounded her two-year-old brother while they were being pushed in a stroller by another child on an East Williamsburg street. His co-defendant will be arraigned tomorrow.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “On a beautiful spring day, this senseless act of gun violence took the life of an innocent baby, traumatized a family and shook an entire community. Little Kaori was killed, and her two-year-old brother was wounded — all because of a decision to settle a dispute with gunfire, with no regard for who might be harmed. With homicides in Brooklyn at a record low, this is exactly the kind of violence that we must fight against and never accept. We are determined to hold these defendants fully accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mathew Rodriguez, 18, of Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree criminal use of a firearm, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, tampering with physical evidence, first-degree hindering prosecution and second-degree hindering prosecution. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on June 10, 2026. His co-defendant, Amuri Greene, 21, of Brooklyn, will be arraigned on the same indictment tomorrow.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on April 1, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m., near the corner of Humboldt Street and Moore Street in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the defendants, while acting in concert, allegedly rode on a moped with Rodriguez driving and Greene as a passenger. As the defendants approached a group of adults and children gathered on the street, Greene allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired multiple times into the crowd.

As a result of the shooting, a seven-month-old baby, Kaori Patterson-Moore, who was seated in a stroller, was struck in the head by a bullet and died from her injuries. Her two-year-old brother was grazed by a bullet in the back and survived.

The investigation revealed that the defendants fled the scene on the moped, which struck a vehicle while going the wrong way on a one-way street and crashed a few blocks from the scene of the shooting. Greene was apprehended shortly thereafter, and Rodriguez was later arrested in Pennsylvania.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Christopher Mirabella and Jonathan Visotzky, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief and overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, Chief of the District Attorney’s Trial Division.

#

An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 13, 2026

Two Men Sentenced to 45 Years to Life in Prison

Defendants Convicted of Ambush Murder of Alleged Rival in Clinton Hill,
In Retaliation for the Shooting Death of a 900 Gang Member Days Earlier

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two men affiliated with the violent 900 street gang have each been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for the murder of one man and the shooting of two innocent bystanders.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants walked into a housing complex in the middle of the afternoon, opened fire, took a life, wounded innocent bystanders and put others at risk. Gun violence is at record lows in Brooklyn precisely because the NYPD and our prosecutors relentlessly focus on the drivers of crime such as these defendants, whose pointless and retaliatory gun violence led to far too much bloodshed. Today’s sentences ensure justice for victims and make Brooklyn safer.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Alexander Williams, 29, of Brownsville, Brooklyn and Wydeem Rudd, 26, of the Bronx. The defendants were sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 45 years to life in prison. The defendants were convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree attempted assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on November 25, 2025, following a jury trial.

On September 8, 2020, at approximately 3:39 p.m., according to the evidence, Alexander Williams, member of the 900 gang, requested a cab from Rainbow Car Service to pick him up in Brownsville, then to stop along the route to pick up Wydeem Rudd, a 900 associate. The cab dropped the defendants at Clifton and Franklin Avenues, near the Lafayette Gardens housing development in Clinton Hill.

The defendants, wearing hoods and masks, walked through Lafayette Gardens, entered the rear of 456 DeKalb Avenue, and then walked to the front of the building. The defendants then ambushed Tylee Felder, 24, who was standing in front of the building. Rudd and Williams shot Felder six times, including in the head, killing him. Rudd then fired into a crowd outside of the building, shooting and wounding two innocent bystanders, a 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old man.

The defendants then fled through the rear of the building and were captured on several surveillance videos. Both removed their sweatshirts, revealing unique arm tattoos. Rudd also removed his mask.

The case was investigated by detectives from the New York City Police Department’s Gun Violence Suppression Division, the 79^th Precinct Detective Squad, and the Brooklyn North Homicide Squad.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Ford and Senior Assistant District Attorney Fabiola Marrufo, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, with assistance from Forensic Digital Analyst Kelly Crawford and Senior Digital Forensic Analyst Sourov Talulkder, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, and under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Cilia, First Deputy Bureau Chief of VCE, and Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, Bureau Chief.

#

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Hate Crime Assault and Robbery
Targeting Jewish Victim on Subway

Victim Repeatedly Punched on Subway in Unprovoked Attack

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with robbery and assault as hate crimes and related offenses in connection with an unprovoked attack against a Jewish man in the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center subway station in Brooklyn. The victim was targeted while wearing religious attire when the incident occurred.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of brutally assaulting a man in an unprovoked and senseless act of anti-Semitic hate. The impact of crimes like this radiates through entire communities and we will seek strong accountability because we have no tolerance for hate fueled violence in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Neil Hurlock, 20, of Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree robbery as a hate crime, second-degree robbery, third-degree robbery as a hate crime, third-degree robbery, third-degree assault as a hate crime, , third-degree assault, petit larceny as a hate crime, petit larceny, third-degree menacing as a hate crime, third-degree menacing, and second-degree aggravated harassment. The defendant is on supervised release and was ordered to return to court on June 3, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 2, 2026, at approximately 10:45 a.m., in the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center subway station, the defendant, wearing a full-face black mask, allegedly followed the victim aboard a Coney Island-bound N train. The defendant allegedly stood by the train door and punched the victim in the face. He then allegedly entered the train car and punched the victim in the face again, before picking the victim up and continuing to punch the victim multiple times. The defendant allegedly threw the victim on the seats before once again punching the victim in the face multiple times. The defendant was captured on surveillance video from the moment he departed his residence to the moment he got off the Astoria-bound N train at Canal.

According to the investigation, the defendant allegedly called the victim a “F—ing Jew” during the attack. The victim was reading a religious text and wearing full religious clothing including a kippah and a gartel at the time of the alleged offense. The defendant allegedly removed this kippah from the victim’s head before fleeing the scene on an Astoria-bound N train while still in possession of the kippah. The defendant’s cell phone fell out of his pocket as he fled the scene and was recovered by the victim.

The victim remained on the Coney Island-bound N train until the 56th Street station, at which point he called 911 and was transported to SUNY Downstate Hospital, where he received medical attention for pain, bruising and swelling about the face and head, and cuts about the hands.

An NYPD detective interviewed the victim at the hospital and collected the defendant’s phone as evidence. A search warrant executed on the phone revealed the phone number. The defendant was arrested following an investigation.

The District Attorney thanked Hate Crimes Paralegal Qetsiyah Hillaire for her assistance on the case.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Steven Acevedo of the Hate Crimes Task Force.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Samantha Perlstein, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Chief of the Hate Crimes Bureau.

#

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 30, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
For Gunpoint Robbery of Crown Heights Bodega

Bought Black Ski Mask and Used it to Rob Same Bodega Minutes Later

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to five years in prison for a gunpoint robbery in which he threatened to kill a bodega worker. The defendant stopped by the same bodega 20 minutes before the robbery and purchased a black ski mask he wore during the robbery.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This brazen defendant not only robbed a business that had just provided him a service, but he also put a hard-working employee in grave danger. We have zero tolerance for gun crimes in Brooklyn, where shootings and homicides continue to reach record lows, and will continue to vigorously prosecute those who use firearms and threaten our communities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Michael Bellevue, 26, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Adam Perlmutter to five years in prison followed by five years’ post-release supervision (prosecutors recommended a 12-year sentence). The defendant was convicted of one count of first-degree robbery on December 2, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on January 15, 2024, the defendant purchased multiple items, including a black ski mask, from a bodega at 401 Schenectady Avenue in Crown Heights, where he was recognized by the victim as a regular, everyday customer. Roughly twenty minutes later, the defendant re-entered the bodega armed with a loaded black firearm and wearing the black ski mask. He pointed the firearm at the victim — the same bodega employee from whom he had purchased the ski mask — and demanded cash from the register, saying “give me the money or I’m going to kill you.”

The defendant then pointed the firearm at the victim’s head, according to the evidence, but the victim was able to grab the firearm, which then discharged. The victim dove out of the way, narrowly escaping being struck by a bullet. As the victim dove, the defendant reached over the counter, grabbed cash out of the open register, and fled.

The defendant was apprehended on January 19, 2024, following an investigation.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Detective Investigators, as well as Supervising Paralegal James Morales and Paralegal Yazmin Pinkston-Hippolyte, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Carly Muth, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau (formerly of the Red Zone Trial Bureau) and Senior Assistant District Attorney Amelia Digirolamo, of the Red Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Andrea Orlando and Assistant District Attorney Rene Plattner, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Red Zone Bureau Chief.

#

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for Breaking into Elderly Neighbor’s Apartment and Sexually Assaulting Her

Defendant Strangled Victim Twice, Causing Her to Lose Consciousness

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Crown Heights man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for breaking into the home of his 81-year-old neighbor while she slept, strangling her twice until she lost consciousness and sexually assaulting her inside her residence, causing severe injuries and brain damage.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant broke into the home of an 81-year-old woman in the middle of the night and subjected her to a brutal, terrifying assault that left lasting injuries and stole from her the safety she deserved in her own home. Today’s sentence ensures he will spend many years behind bars for the devastating harm he caused. My heart is with this survivor, whose courage throughout this case has been extraordinary, and we will continue to pursue justice for anyone who targets the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Thomas Johnson, 54, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of first-degree burglary, first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree assault as a sexually motivated felony and second-degree strangulation as a sexually motivated felony on January 20, 2026, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 27, 2022, at approximately 3 a.m., the 81-year-old victim was asleep in her bedroom inside her Crown Heights residence when she was awakened by a loud noise. When she got out of bed, the victim observed the defendant inside her second bedroom and asked the defendant what he was doing there. The defendant grabbed her and began strangling and physically assaulting her, causing her to lose consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she realized that she no longer had underwear on.

As she attempted to crawl for help, the defendant came up behind her and put his hands around her neck and applied pressure, strangling her until she lost consciousness a second time. When the victim again regained consciousness, she was able to crawl to the front door of her apartment and call out for help. The woman’s upstairs neighbors, who are related to the defendant, came down to help and called 911. The defendant was arrested in a hallway outside the victim’s residence.

As a result of the attack, the victim suffered pain in her neck, difficulty breathing, swelling to her face, extensive hemorrhaging in her eyes, bleeding from her mouth and nose, a dislocated jaw and injuries to her genitals. The strangulations deprived her brain of oxygen for a significant period, causing brain damage that reduced the level of self-sufficiency she had prior to the attack.

The District Attorney thanked Talia Orband of the Victim Services Unit for her assistance in this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel Brian Newcombe and Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Gomez, with the assistance of Supervising Paralegal Jennifer Hernandez, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Perry Cerrato, Deputy Bureau Chief, Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, 1st Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

#

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Staten Island Woman Indicted for String of Hate Crime Assaults
Targeting Muslim Victims in Bay Ridge

Three People Attacked, Including 12-Year-Old Girl, in Series of Unprovoked Attacks

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Staten Island woman has been arraigned on an indictment in which she is charged with assault as a hate crime and related offenses in connection with a series of unprovoked attacks against three Muslim people in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The victims were targeted while wearing religious attire when the incidents occurred.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of targeting three people, including a child, in a string of unprovoked assaults allegedly fueled by anti-Muslim bias. No one should be attacked, threatened, or made to fear for their safety because of their faith. We will seek to hold this defendant accountable and will continue working to protect all Brooklyn residents from hate and violence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Megan Horne, 34, of Staten Island. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which she is charged with third-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault, third-degree attempted assault as a hate crime, third-degree attempted assault, third-degree menacing as a hate crime, third-degree menacing, second-degree aggravated harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. The defendant remains on supervised release and was ordered to return to court on May 27, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 30, 2026, at approximately 2:25 p.m., near Fifth Avenue and 89th Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, the defendant allegedly approached a 33-year-old woman wearing a hijab and punched and kicked her while making anti-Muslim statements.

Minutes later, near 92nd Street and Gelston Avenue in Bay Ridge, the defendant allegedly approached a 12-year-old girl who was also wearing a hijab and punched her in the face.

Shortly thereafter, near Fort Hamilton Parkway and 92nd Street, the defendant allegedly approached a 39-year-old woman wearing a hijab and pushed her as she was boarding a bus, again making a statement directed at the victim’s perceived religion.

According to the investigation, the defendant fled each scene. The victims suffered pain, redness and fear for their safety, but declined medical attention at the time.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sharmalee Brooks-Gordon, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Chief of the Hate Crimes Bureau.

#

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, March 20, 2026

Brooklyn Parents Indicted for Manslaughter in Connection with
Fatal Drug Exposure of Four-Year-Old Boy

Child Was Allegedly Exposed to Fentanyl Inside East Flatbush Family Shelter

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man and woman have been arraigned on an indictment charging them with reckless manslaughter and other crimes in connection with the death of their four-year-old son Aron Sklar, who was exposed to fentanyl in the East Flatbush family shelter where he lived with the defendants.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This indictment alleges a heartbreaking level of neglect that resulted in a fatal overdose of a four-year-old boy. Parents have a fundamental responsibility to keep their children safe, and by allegedly allowing fentanyl and other narcotics into their residence, these defendants failed in that duty. This prosecution seeks to ensure that there is accountability for Aron Sklar’s senseless death.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Yitzchok Sklar, 33, and Miriam Elkayam, 27, both of whom were living in the East Flatbush shelter at the time of their son’s death. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment charging them with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Sklar was remanded without bail and Elkayam was held on a $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond. They were ordered to return to court on May 1, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 4, 2025, police and emergency medical personnel responded to a 911 call at a family shelter located on Glenwood Road in East Flatbush after a four-year-old boy was found unresponsive. Emergency medical workers administered Narcan, an overdose-reversal medication, and transported him to a hospital. The victim, Aron Sklar, was later pronounced dead and subsequent toxicology reports confirmed that the cause of death was fentanyl exposure.

According to the investigation, suspected fentanyl and other narcotics were allegedly recovered from the defendants’ residence, along with drug paraphernalia. The indictment supersedes the earlier misdemeanor charges against the defendants of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child and adds additional charges connected to the child’s death.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephen Van Doran and Deputy Bureau Chief Perry Cerrato, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

#

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, March 20, 2026

Gunman Who Fired 10 Shots into Brooklyn Park, Killing Two Teens and Injuring a Third, Sentenced to 32 Years to Life in Prison

Accomplice Who Drove to Scene Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in Prison

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for the murders of two teenagers and the attempted murder of a third teenager who were among a group of people hanging out in a Cypress Hills park on a summer evening.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s lengthy prison terms hold these defendants accountable for the brazen murders of Antonio Villa and Kleimer Piron and the attempted murder of a third teenager. While gun violence in Brooklyn has reached record lows, we remain focused on the small number of individuals who put our communities at risk. We will continue to focus on these important cases to ensure that our parks and streets remain safe for every Brooklyn resident.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Joshua Bonilla, 29, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn and Bryant Perez, 20, of East New York, Brooklyn. Bonilla was convicted of first-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on December 16, 2025, following a jury trial. Perez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder on November 5, 2025. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Deepa Ambekar today sentenced Bonilla to 32 years to life in prison and Perez to 20 years to life in prison.

According to the evidence, on July 26, 2020, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the defendants, who were affiliated with the Warblock Street gang, drove in a stolen car to Vermont Street in Cypress Hills in search of rival gang members. The defendants circled the block before they approached George Walker Jr. Park at Vermont Street and Jamaica Avenue, where several teenagers were gathered.

As Perez drove the vehicle, Bonilla fired approximately 10 shots from a .357 caliber handgun into the park. Antonio Villa, 18, and Kleimer Piron, 16, were both shot in the head and killed. A third victim, a 17-year-old boy, was also struck by gunfire, and survived the shooting.

The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegal Meghan Brancato and Intelligence Analyst Victoria Genna-Schmidt for their assistance in the investigation.

The cases were prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney James Hamilton, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

#

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 23 Years to Life in Prison for
Prospect Lefferts Gardens Murder

Defendant Shook Victim’s Hand Moments Before Firing Multiple Shots

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Crown Heights man has been sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old up-and-coming rapper.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a calculated killing carried out on a Brooklyn street. The defendant approached the victim, shook his hand and then fired numerous shots at point-blank range. As we continue to drive down crime in Brooklyn, acts of gun violence such as these will not be tolerated, and we will aggressively prosecute anyone who leaves families in mourning and communities fearing for their safety.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Caliph Glean, 33, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jay Weiner to 23 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on December 10, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on May 10, 2020, at approximately 9:25 p.m., the defendant approached the victim, Nickalus “Blixky” Thompson, on the sidewalk on Winthrop Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. After shaking the victim’s hand, the defendant drew a handgun, aimed at the victim and waited for a witness to be out of view before firing five times. Two of the shots struck the victim in the lungs and heart. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The defendant took steps before and after the shooting to conceal his identity and avoid arrest, according to the evidence, but was apprehended in June 2020 in Philadelphia.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst Victoria Genna-Schmidt of the KCDA Digital Evidence Lab, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jingu Chong, Chief of the Digital Evidence Lab, as well as Paralegal John Homnick and KCDA Detective Investigators for their assistance in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert Schwartz, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Douglas Steinberg, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

#