Alleged gang members charged with murder, conspiracy, assault

January 4, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

The bodega on New Lots Avenue in East New York, seconds before violence broke out. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn DA’s Office

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Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced on Tuesday that 17 alleged members of three Brooklyn street gangs known collectively as YPF are variously charged in two indictments with conspiracy to commit murder, possess weapons and related charges.

The indictments include charges related to several shootings that resulted in 14 victims, four of whom died as a result of their injuries.

The defendants were arraigned starting on Tuesday afternoon before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Craig Walker on two indictments in which they are variously charged with first-, second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, second- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Gonzalez said the charges are the result of a long-term investigation by the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the NYPD’s Brooklyn North Violent Crimes Squad into the violence allegedly committed by members and associates of three gangs that formed an alliance. The gangs are FNO (For N—– Only or Fear No One), PPP (Pistol-Packing Pitkin) and YAWAH (Young and Wild and Hustling). Collectively, they are known as YPF.

The alleged purpose of the alliance was to form a large umbrella group to increase their numbers and territory as well as to commit violence against their common enemies and maintain geographic dominance. Other benefits included access to more handguns, freedom to travel safely to their allies’ neighborhoods and the ability to hunt down more rivals, the DA’s Office said.

Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Craig Walker. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese

Geographically, the YPF alliance territory includes parts of Brownsville, East New York and Fort Greene. Specifically, it includes, in the 73rd Precinct, NYCHA’s Langston Hughes, Van Dyke and Seth Low Houses; in the 75th Precinct, NYCHA’s Fiorentino Plaza and nearby; and in the 88th Precinct, NYCHA’s Ingersoll Houses and surrounding areas.

At the start of the conspiracies, the defendants ranged in age from 14 to 20 years old.

Many of the acts of violence were allegedly captured on surveillance videos. Furthermore, some of the defendants allegedly boasted about their criminal actions on social media, directing acts of violence and taking credit for shootings.

In one incident, on Oct. 28, 2020, at approximately 6:05 p.m., FNO members Iquan Warlick and Nakhai Addison got off the train in East New York and walked over to a bodega at 296 New Lots Ave., according to the charges. At that time, an alleged rival they were looking for was inside the bodega waiting for food along with Sherard McKoy, an 18-year-old college freshman not affiliated with any gang. The rival stepped outside, saw Warlick and Addison and went inside to warn McKoy.

The two defendants then entered the bodega, according to the indictment. Warlick allegedly pulled out a gun, chased McKoy out of the bodega, then fired multiple shots, killing him. Addison then allegedly took the gun from Warlick and returned to fire additional shots toward the rear, where their target ran to hide.

Then, on Nov. 22, 2020, it is alleged, George Risher Jr., Warlick and at least two other unidentified individuals traveled to East New York from Fort Greene by car to a birthday party for a 16-year-old where enemies of YPF would be in attendance. One of the unidentified individuals allegedly shot at a group near the venue, striking someone in the leg.

Passersby running from the alleged gang-related shooting in MetroTech in September. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn DA’s Office

The defendants and that individual then chased a group of perceived rivals around the corner, and Risher allegedly fired at them, causing property damage. A short time later, Warlick, Risher and two unidentified individuals then went to where the party had relocated, 15 Albany Ave. in Crown Heights, in rival gang territory. Risher and the third individual went to the third floor and allegedly fired multiple shots at partygoers there, striking and injuring five innocent victims and killing innocent victim Daijyonna Long, 20, who was visiting from Virginia.

Warlick and the fourth individual remained on the first floor, where they each allegedly fired shots towards the group there, striking and injuring two people who were in an elevator on the first floor, according to the charges.

Finally, on Sept. 21, 2021, around 3:05 p.m., it is alleged that several FNO members entered the MetroTech mall and office-building complex in Downtown Brooklyn. Giovanni Bennett allegedly fired multiple shots at a former FNO member who now belongs to a rival gang, Berg Fam. An innocent New York University student was shot in the arm.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This successful takedown is part of our ongoing strategy to reduce shootings and senseless deaths by targeting the most violent offenders in our communities. A particularly troubling aspect of this case is that many of the defendants are teenagers.

“We must engage with our young people and help to keep them on the right path. They must learn that there is another way to live beyond the gang life and be given the tools and services to help them succeed,” he said.

Commissioner Sewell said, “The joint, long-term investigation took aim at the most violent elements of these criminal street organizations. Once again, the NYPD focused on the few people willing to pick up a gun to harm those who live and work in our Brooklyn neighborhoods. By pursuing these kinds of cases together, our NYPD detectives and prosecutors in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office work relentlessly to continue reducing this kind of violence.”