By Leonard Greene
New York Daily News
NEW YORK — Vicious gang members responsible for nearly half of the reckless shootings in Inwood and Washington Heights over the last six years, including the murders of four innocent bystanders, were charged in a series of sweeping indictments that got killers and guns off the streets, officials said Thursday.
Thirty gang members in all were rounded up and charged in connection with 18 shootings in which seven people were killed, including four victims who were not targets. The bloodshed included two gunpoint robberies, one of which was fatal, officials said.
“These groups have allegedly committed fatal and horrific gun violence in Inwood and Washington Heights over the past six years,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “I want to be very clear: if you traffic illegal firearms into Manhattan, or use guns to commit violence against fellow Manhattanites, you will be held accountable.
“We will not accept this type of conduct, which tears at the fabric of our communities.”
Four of the suspects, allegedly associated with a crew known to police as “Own Every Dollar” (O.E.D), were charged in connection with two separate shootings, including one where O.E.D. members shot indiscriminately into a crowded basketball court, striking an innocent bystander in the chest.
Another 18 members of the “200/8 Block,” and eight members of the “6 Block” crew were also arrested and charged.
Indictments handed up allege an escalating pattern of out-of-control violence dating back to 2018.
“These indictments demonstrate the unwavering determination of law enforcement to identify and apprehend those who are terrorizing our communities with violence and disorder,” said NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon. “The NYPD, along with our partners, will continue to dismantle the gangs and crews responsible for fueling chaos on our streets, and will hold their members fully accountable for their senseless criminal actions.”
The violence played out as recently as this summer and fall. In June, a 16-year old gang member approached an intended target at W. 206th St. and 10th Ave. and killed two innocent bystanders, aged 44 and 46, when he recklessly opened fire on the busy street, cops said. A third bystander was shot in the leg.
Startling surveillance video shows two men talking outside the Blue Sky Smoke Shop at W. 207th St. and Tenth Ave. in Inwood when the shooter, wearing a black ski mask, opens fire at them from across the street around 11:40 p.m. on June 16. Michael James, 44, was shot in the face. He was rushed by medics to Harlem Hospital, where he died. The shooter’s other victim, 45-year-old Alejandro Ramirez, died at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital minutes later, cops said.
Last month, three suspects were involved in a fatal drive-by shooting at W. 160th St. and Amsterdam Ave., during which a 46-year-old bystander was killed. Cops said Vernard Floranda, a sommelier, was fatally shot in the chest in a drive-by that also wounded a 26-year-old man on Oct. 2 shortly after midnight.
The victim worked as a sommelier at Cafe Boulud , owned by famed chef Daniel Boulud. He moved to New York two years ago after his career brought him to Las Vegas and Honolulu.
Floranda was pursuing his dream of one day opening his own wine bar, his mother said. He also loved plants and gardening.
Charges against those arrested include second-degree murder, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
—
©2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.