Seven alleged members of the Bronx street gang, "Courtlandt Over Everything," have been indicted in a series of shootings that spread fear in the Mott Haven and Melrose neighborhoods. In a statement obtained by SFist, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “These defendants put the lives of countless people at risk in senseless episodes of gunfire all in broad daylight. In retaliation for a fatal shooting, they allegedly shot two innocent bystanders as well as their target. They allegedly engaged in a shootout outside a school as children were dismissed. They put the entire community in danger, and they will be held accountable for their actions,” according to the Bronx District Attorney's office.
The accused gang members are linked to four separate incidents between July and October of last year, one of which included the shooting of two innocent bystanders. The shootings were reportedly carried out in a retaliatory fashion for a prior fatal shooting. The indictment includes charges such as second-degree conspiracy and attempted murder.
Aiding in the indictment process, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch noted the critical role the NYPD plays in tackling gang violence, “The indictment demonstrates the critical work that the NYPD does every day to stop violent gangs that terrorize our communities. I commend the NYPD investigators and our law enforcement partners for their tireless work to get these dangerous individuals off of our streets and bring them to justice.” Tisch said, as noted by the Bronx District Attorney's office.
Among those indicted, two are minors and the bail amounts set for the adults vary, with the highest being $500,000 cash over $750,000 bond for Elijah Santiago, also known as "Eli Drako". In a testament to their flagrant criminal activity, it was revealed that some defendants even boasted about their exploits in drill rap videos. Assistant District Attorneys Charlayne M. White, Lily Gebru, and Marc Russell of the Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau will prosecute the case, with all defendants expected back in court on March 12.
This case has also drawn attention to the influence of drill rap music in gang culture, with references to real violence making their way into song lyrics and social media posts. In particular, defendant Chalim Perry, a.k.a. "Sha EK," is known for posting videos where he purportedly brags about shooting at rivals and threatens harm to members of rival gangs.
