Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the second largest gang takedown in the history of the borough on Thursday afternoon.
The district attorney held a news conference detailing the takedown at her office in Kew Gardens.
During the news conference, officials cited an incident of gang violence in St. Albans, Queens backed in 2022, when one bullet hit a 15-year-old girl in the leg, who was just at home studying. The young girl recovered from the incident.
The incident just one of many revealed on Thursday as part of a sprawling takedown of the alleged gang.
“We allege that these defendants have become the most violent gang in the borough of Queens County, creating fear and violence,” Katz said.
A total of 32 defendants, many adolescents, are facing a 97-count indictment for murder, conspiracy, weapons possession and more, with incidents dating back to 2021. The Queens D.A. says the gang carried out at least 13 shootings, including three homicides, many in broad daylight.
The alleged gang leader, a rapper from Queens Village, is accused of arming local teenagers in Southeast Queens and giving them permission to shoot at rivals to gain status.
“Think about what the daytime shootings bring. Think about people walking to school, coming from school, seniors going to senior centers, doing your shopping. One defendant’s exploits were so well known that his nickname was ‘Broad Day,'” Katz said.
Surveillance video from 2024 shows two defendants allegedly opening fire at 3pm outside a McDonald’s in Cambria Heights, stunning but not injuring those inside.
In 2024, police say a then 15-year-old defendant fired at a rival gang member in St. Albans, but instead killed 66-year-old William Alcindor, who was driving. He lost control of the car and hit a 23-year-old woman on the sidewalk, seriously injuring her.
ALSO READ: NYPD searching for shooter after driver shot and killed in Queens
Sonia Rincon has reaction from the family of 66-year-old William Alcindor.
“These defendants knew exactly what they were doing, and they often bragged about their crimes, showing no regard for human life,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
There were 23 defendants apprehended by the NYPD on Wednesday morning. They have since been remanded to jails. A group of six defendants were already apprehended and incarcerated previously.
Officials say three defendants remain at large, and authorities are trying to apprehend them as soon as possible.
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