NEW YORK (WABC) — Three dozen members of two rival Brownsville-based street gangs have been charged in sweeping indictments tied to dozens of shootings across Brooklyn.<\/p>\n
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the charges on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors said this all stemmed from a long-term investigation into two rival gang alliances known as WOOO and CHOO.<\/p>\n
“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,” Tisch said.<\/p>\n
Authorities say the groups were involved in 36 shootings, including one fatal incident and 10 non-fatal shootings that injured victims, including an innocent bystander.<\/p>\n
The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, murder, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment. Prosecutors say 16 of the defendants are associated with WOOO and 20 with CHOO, with a total of 188 counts charged across two separate indictments.<\/p>\n
According to prosecutors, the alleged violence was fueled by an ongoing rivalry between the two groups, which operate out of neighboring New York City Housing Authority complexes in Brownsville and surrounding neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Authorities say the gangs are made up of smaller crews that aligned to gain control of territory, retaliate against rivals and boost their reputations.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors added that the shootings often followed online taunts and disputes that escalated into real-world violence, with members allegedly traveling into rival territory to carry out attacks. Many of the incidents were captured on surveillance video, and authorities say the defendants frequently boasted about their actions on social media and in music videos.<\/p>\n
The lone homicide charged in the indictments occurred early on June 29, when 34-year-old Tahriq Thompson was fatally shot at Riverdale Avenue and Osborn Street.<\/p>\n
Among other incidents cited by prosecutors is a 2023 shooting near a playground at the Van Dyke Houses, where children were present but no one was injured, and a barbershop shooting that same year that left an innocent bystander wounded while taking out the trash.<\/p>\n
Another indictment alleges a 2024 gang assault in Downtown Brooklyn in which a teenager suffered serious injuries after being chased, beaten and stomped by rival gang members.<\/p>\n
“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,” Gonzalez said.<\/p>\n
Tisch praised the investigation, calling it the result of months of targeted policing and cooperation between detectives and prosecutors.<\/p>\n
———-<\/p>\n
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a> <\/p>\n * More New York City news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts<\/a> <\/p>\n * Follow us on YouTube<\/a> <\/p>\n
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News<\/p>\n