According to the New York Post, sixteen alleged youth group members from rival East Harlem organizations have been detained and indicted for a string of violent gun-related offences that have plagued the area for weeks. The suspects are accused of carrying out 21 murders between March 2024 and February 2025, the majority of whom are under the age of 18, and belong to the “LA World” and” Wuski” criminals.
These shootings frequently took place in and around open spaces like walkways, playgrounds, and creating lobbies, which made up nearly half of all gun crime in the 23rd Precinct during that time. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg praised the reckless disregard for innocent life shown by the defendants, while NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the situation as “turning East Harlem into a personal battleground.”
Following a double homicide on March 24, 2024, when a 16-year-old woman was tragically shot and a 25-year-old LA World part, Harry Mendoza, both 18, were killed, the murder escalated. An LA World part allegedly fired into a tower entrance in retaliation only hours later into a Wuski gang activity. More murders are said to have been a result of this series of retributions.
During the detention, government seized 15 illegal weapons, including semi-automatic guns. Eight defendants were apprehended on Tuesday morning, four of whom were now in custody, and four of whom were still at large on Tuesday afternoon.
Nin alleged LA World people and seven alleged Wuski people face charges including second-degree plot with the intent to murder, attempted death, and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to The Post. Later on Tuesday, the twelve alleged gang members in prison were scheduled to make their initial court looks before a judge in Manhattan. Their counsel were unable to be reached right away.
Mayor of New York City Eric Adams made the disturbing claim that these 16 people were to blame for quarter of all shootings in the area and that they must be addressed to prevent repeat offenders.
Let that sink in, the governor said,” Just 16 people are accused of 50 % of a precinct’s murders.” ” We need to get the small minority of people who regularly commit atrocities off our roads.”
