Two murders, multiple shootings: 18 alleged Brooklyn gang members charged

May 30, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Eighteen alleged members of the H-Block/Billy’s and Gates Fam street gangs were indicted in Brooklyn for various crimes, including two murders and multiple shootings, following a long-term investigation into gang violence in Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant. Pictured clockwise, starting from top left: Nyshaun Perry, Demitri Jean Jacques, Isaiah Charles, Malcolm Davis, Shamari Griffith, David Robinson. Photos courtesy of the Brooklyn DA’s Office

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A total of 18 alleged members of the H-Block, Billy and Gates Fam street gangs were indicted in Brooklyn on Wednesday and were charged with a variety of crimes, including conspiracy to commit murder, weapons possession and related offenses, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban announced.

These charges stem from a series of violent incidents, including two murders and 10 shootings, that have left 10 people injured, eight of whom were innocent bystanders.

“This case sends a strong message that shooting guns in our streets cannot and will not be tolerated,” Gonzalez said. “It is shocking how young many of the defendants are, and today’s takedown is part of our comprehensive approach to youth violence – holding accountable those who commit shootings and working with other young people to steer them away from street gangs.”

The defendants were arraigned Wednesday afternoon before Supreme Court Justices Danny Chun and Craig Walker on an 85-count indictment. The charges include second-degree murder, conspiracy, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, assault and related offenses.

The indictment follows a long-term investigation by the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division. The investigation focused on gang violence along the border of Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. Fifteen defendants are alleged members of the H-Block/Billy’s gang, a territorial alliance between the 59-Brim Bloods and the 9-Trey/Billy’s Bloods operating out of Crown Heights. The gang’s “home bases” include 260-280 Herkimer St. and 1625 Fulton St.

Three other defendants are alleged members of the Gates Fam street gang, a Bloods subset with territory in the Louis Armstrong Houses and 523 Gates Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

The indictment alleges that H-Block/Billy’s members conspired to murder rival gang members, often boasting or discussing their plans on social media, recorded jail conversations and cell phones. They allegedly possessed photos and videos of themselves with guns and discussed firearms in messages.

From August 2021, the H-Block/Billy’s defendants allegedly committed multiple shootings and acts of violence to maintain dominance over their territory. The violence began with three shootings in a two-hour period, resulting in the death of Jaquan Gause, a 16-year-old Gates Fam member, and injuries to three others, including an innocent bystander.

The second homicide charged is the June 25, 2022, shooting death of 16-year-old Nayshawn Campbell, a Woo associate. Campbell was shot in the torso inside the Dr. Green Playground in Brownsville by H-Block members Nyshaun Perry, Demetri Jean Jacques, and Isaiah Charles.

Several other notable alleged incidents that are included in the indictment include one on April 12, 2022, where Malcolm Davis and Shamari Griffith allegedly opened fire in Gates Fam territory, injuring three innocent people. On August 18, 2022, Nyshaun Perry and Jamouri Foster allegedly fired at a Dodge Charger in Folk Nation gang territory. On August 21, 2022, Isaiah Charles, Demetri Jean Jacques, and an unidentified individual allegedly opened fire at a video shoot in Lincoln Fam territory, injuring a videographer.

On October 2, 2023, Gates Fam member David Robinson allegedly attempted to run over H-Block member Michael Hammond with his car. Hammond responded by shooting Robinson, injuring him.