Brooklyn DA indicts 32 alleged rival gangsters

They were slapped with 106 charges

November 16, 2022 Rob Abruzzese

A total of 32 people who are allegedly members of rival gangs were charged in Brooklyn on Tuesday with 106 charges stemming from 19 shooting incidents over a two year span. Mugshot courtesy of the Kings County DA’s Office

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BROWNSVILLE — Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez made a major announcement on Tuesday when he revealed that his office has charged 32 alleged members of dueling Brownsville gangs with a total of 106 charges that included conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and weapons possession.

Gonzalez appeared next to NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell when he announced the charges against members of the rival street gangs known as the Wooo and Choo. The charges included four indictments with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to possess weapons, murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment, weapons possession and other charges.

“With this successful takedown we aim to incapacitate two violent gangs that have terrorized parts of Brownsville for too long,” Gonzalez said. “Their senseless and indiscriminate gun violence upended the sense of safety for many residents and wounded a number of innocent bystanders, including a 3-year-old-girl who was leaving her daycare center. We will never allow this type of criminal activity to go unimpeded and will work closely with the NYPD to build strong cases that will ensure that these alleged offenders are held accountable, and our communities are kept safe – like we’ve done in this case.”

The indictments stemmed from a total of 19 shootings that resulted in 14 gunshot victims and two deaths. One of the victims was a three-year-old girl who was struck but not killed when leaving daycare.

“Among the highest priorities for the NYPD and our law enforcement partners is focusing our resources on the relatively few people responsible for the majority of the crime and violence in New York City,” Sewell said. “Today’s charges highlight our commitment to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting anyone who takes part in illegal gang activities.”

The 32 people who were indicted will appear before Kings County Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, 13 are alleged members of the Wooo gang and 19 are alleged Choo members.

A total of 32 people who are allegedly members of rival gangs were charged in Brooklyn on Tuesday with 106 charges stemming from 19 shooting incidents over a two year span. Mugshot courtesy of the Kings County DA’s Office

The arrests came as the result of an investigation that began in the Spring of 2020 and was wrapped up this month, according to prosecutors. It focused on these two gangs, which operate out of several neighboring housing complexes in Brownsville.

The Wooos are allegedly based primarily out of the Seth Low, Van Dyke, Langston Hughes, Glenmore Plaza and Brownsville housing projects.The Choos are primarily based out of the Tilden, Howard, Marcus Garvey Village, Newport Gardens, and Riverdale housing projects. Dumont Avenue is considered the dividing line between the two groups, according to prosecutors, though some housing complexes are located on the same street.

Prosecutors claimed to have recovered 27 guns during their years-long investigation, and many of the allegedly 27 shooting incidents were caught on surveillance videos. Allegedly, a few people involved bragged about their illegal activity on social media.