In a significant crackdown on gang violence that has terrorized Southeast Queens, 12 reputed members of the Floss Money Ballers gang have been indicted on a slew of charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy. The charges come after a year-long investigation into multiple shootings that authorities say the suspects orchestrated as part of a prolonged feud with rival gang, Blitz Gang 4.
According to the Queens District Attorney's Office announcement, the spike of violence peaked with the tragic killing of 18-year-old Akim Cisse in September 2024. This indictment purportedly marks a turning point in the year-long investigation led by law enforcement, who saw no shootings in these neighborhoods over the recent Labor Day weekend. District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized their commitment to suppressing the violent activities that have dominated the communities of Springfield Gardens, Laurelton, Queens Village, and the Baisley Park Houses.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed a clear message to violent criminals in the city – asserting that these gang members, who endangered the lives of innocent New Yorkers in a territorial war, will face consequences. As he told reporters, "every gang busted in this city means safer communities and more lives saved." NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch also noted the effort police took to end the violence that has been rampant across Queens due to gang rivalries, as reported by the Queens District Attorney's Office.
The indictment detailed several violent incidences, including the fatal shooting of Cisse and a series of retaliatory attacks that followed. Notably, on the day following Cisse's death, a house on 119th Avenue in South Jamaica was sprayed with bullets, although no injuries were reported. Adding to the string of violence, in January, defendants allegedly attempted to gun down a rival during a setup marijuana deal, where, fortunately, the victim escaped harm. Echoing the seriousness of these events, the police managed to recover multiple firearms during their ongoing investigations – including a loaded Glock from a discarded couch cushion, highlighting the dangerous stakes of this year-long shooting spree.
The combined efforts of the Queens District Attorney's Office and the NYPD, including various detective squads, under the supervision of higher-ranking officials, have led to the arrests of these individuals, with the DA's Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau responsible for the prosecution. The 12 defendants, already remanded and ordered to return to court in October, face a comprehensive 33-count indictment that lays bare the calculated violence attributed to the Floss Money Ballers.
