Brooklyn gang member gets 11 years for firearm violations

Fired into crowd in Queens, led cops on chase in Brooklyn

June 6, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, more informally known as Brooklyn Federal Court, in Downtown Brooklyn. Photo: Rob Abruzzese/Brooklyn Eagle

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Danari Aiken, a member of the Mac Baller Brims Bloods street gang as well as the “From Nothing” street gang based in Lincoln Towers in East New York was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen in Eastern District Federal Court in Brooklyn to 11 years for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The first count of firearm possession related to a 2018 incident in which Aiken attempted to murder a rival gang member and ended up firing at random into a crowd of people outside a Queens nightclub, injuring five bystanders.

The second count related to an incident in which Aiken possessed a firearm while fleeing police from a traffic stop. In December 2021, Aiken pleaded guilty to both counts.

Aiken had previously been convicted in 2015 of possessing a loaded firearm.

On Dec. 7, 2018, Aiken attempted to ambush rival gang members outside of the Rose Lounge nightclub in Queens. When he arrived at the nightclub, Aiken flashed gang signs before attempting to shoot an individual at point-blank range.

U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen, E.D.N.Y. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese

When that individual returned fire, Aiken fled but continued firing into the crowd. As a result of the shooting, five bystanders suffered non-fatal injuries. The firearm and ammunition used by Aiken were recovered at the scene.

Later, on Nov. 12, 2020, Aiken led NYPD officers on a high-speed chase in Brooklyn when they attempted to stop the vehicle he was driving for disobeying a traffic device.

After he smashed into a garbage truck and nearly striking several pedestrians, Aiken was apprehended when his path was blocked by a parked fire truck.

The NYPD recovered a firearm in the vehicle that was later found to have Aiken’s DNA on it.

Breon Peace, United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence.

“The defendant, who has previously been convicted of a felony crime, armed himself on multiple occasions, and one night, used that deadly weapon to endanger and wound many in his line of fire. Thankfully in this case, the victims suffered non-fatal injuries,” stated U.S. Attorney Peace.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

As part of the program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.