Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with the NYPD, on Wednesday announced that 15 alleged members of the 900 street gang are charged in a 77-count indictment with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and to possess weapons, attempted murder and related charges. The gang was especially active in several NYCHA housing projects.
Four additional alleged members of the 900 gang are variously charged in a separate 11-count indictment with conspiracy to commit murder and to possess weapons.
District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These indictments reflect our commitment to stem the surge in gun violence that we have experienced since last spring. Many of these defendants are accused of recklessly opening fire in broad daylight, endangering not only their rivals but innocent passersby, including children.”
NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said, “There is no place in our city for the kind of violence alleged in this case, which tears at the fabric of life for all. I commend our NYPD investigators, and the prosecutors in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, for working relentlessly to ensure these alleged gang members would be brought to justice.”
Gonzalez said that, according to the 77-count indictment, the defendants are allegedly members of a violent street gang known as 900 Gang. 900 is an umbrella organization comprised of affiliated violent street gangs operating in Brooklyn. Stack Money Goons (SMG) and Jayson Fam (JSF) are two such gangs that affiliate themselves under the umbrella of 900.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison. AP file photo
The complaint alleges that between April 19, 2019 and Nov. 20, 2020, 900 members engaged in violence to establish geographic dominance. SMG and JSF controlled certain geographic areas in Brooklyn, which included the Sumner Houses, Tompkins Houses and 303 Vernon Avenue developments of NYCHA, all within Bedford-Stuyvesant.
To achieve those goals, some 900 members participated in violent criminal acts, including murder and shootings. SMG and JSF’s primary rivals are members of the Hoolies gang, who operated out of a building complex located across the street from SMG and JSF territory, police say. The Hoolies’ territory included 721 Willoughby Ave. and 300 Vernon Ave., as well as the Roosevelt Houses NYCHA development.
The DA’s Office alleges that 900 members committed two murders, as well as numerous shootings, during the course of the investigation:
On June 29, 2020, at approximately 1:13 p.m., Tysean Devonish allegedly posed as a young woman on Instagram and responded to a post allegedly made by Tracey Washington, an alleged Hoolie member, seeking individuals to open credit card accounts in connection with a credit card fraud scheme that he allegedly operated. They agreed to meet at 1620 Dean St. in Weeksville Gardens. At approximately 5:45 p.m., defendants Kaireil Haynie, Alexander Williams and Tysean Devonshire drove to the area, while Washington took a livery car to the location. Haynie and Williams allegedly got out of their car and walked toward the livery car. Haynie allegedly fired multiple times into the livery cab, striking Washington, who exited the cab and fled down Dean Street, where he collapsed.
On Sept. 28, 2020, at approximately 3:39 p.m., Alexander Williams requested a cab from Rainbow Car Service, picked up Wydeem Rudd, and traveled to Clifton and Franklin avenues, where they left the car, according to the DA’s Office. The defendants, allegedly wearing hoods and masks, walked through the Lafayette Gardens housing project, entered the rear of 456 DeKalb Ave. and allegedly ambushed and shot Tylee Felder, who was standing in front.
On Oct. 2, 2019, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Naccion McCray and Vincent Lilly allegedly walked from 303 Vernon Ave. (SMG territory) to a bodega located at 335 Vernon Ave. (Hoolie territory). As the SMG members were entering, they noticed an alleged Hoolie member was leaving. McCray allegedly took a few steps back, pulled out a pistol and fired multiple shots, striking the victim in the leg.
On Oct. 3, 2019, at approximately 2:55 p.m., James Alston, Shawn Singletary and Jalen Elliot were walking on Graham Avenue towards Cook Street. Alston allegedly saw three rivals walking across the street in the opposite direction, drew a pistol and fired twice. There were dozens of bystanders in the area at the time, including a family with small children. One of the shots went through a store window, narrowly missing the head of an employee.
On Oct. 31, 2020, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Jalen Elliot and two others left 303 Vernon Ave. and walked to Marcus Garvey Boulevard. Elliot continued to walk southbound on Marcus Garvey, then allegedly withdrew a gun and fired at a group of individuals standing in front of 721 Willoughby Ave.
On May 16, 2019, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Nysair Harper rode a Citi Bike from the Tompkins Houses (SMG territory) to Hart Street, opposite the Pulaski Playground, where the Hoolies had just broadcast over social media. Harper was allegedly trailed by a black sedan as he rode the bike. He allegedly fired multiple shots into the playground, fled on the bike to where the sedan was parked nearby and got into the car.
During the conspiracy, the indictment charges, incarcerated 900 members communicated with non-incarcerated members in jail phone calls to keep up to date on the status of members or to discuss violent acts. The defendants also allegedly used social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram to demonstrate their gang membership and to broadcast gang activity.
Additionally, gang members allegedly signified their status as shooters by adopting the names of famous basketball players on social media or in song lyrics such as “Shaq,” “Kobe,” “Curry,” “Westbrook” and “Harden.”
The 11-count indictment concerns alleged members of the 1800/Humble gang, which is also under the umbrella of 900 gang, and that they feuded with rival gangs such as OTB (Only the Borough) to maintain geographic dominance in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights.
Gonzalez said that eight of the defendants named in the 77-count indictment were arraigned last week in Brooklyn Supreme Court. The rest will be arraigned on a later date. Three of the defendants in the 11-count indictment were also arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme Court. They are variously charged with second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
