Bronx Gang Takedown: 20 Indicted in 208-Count Indictment Linked to Dozens of Shootings
Bronx, NY – Law enforcement officials announced a sweeping gang takedown targeting two rival street gangs responsible for a wave of violence that has terrorized Bronx neighborhoods for years. The 208-count indictment charges 20 individuals—including several teenagers—with crimes ranging from murder and attempted murder to robbery, assault, and burglary, stemming from at least a dozen shootings between May 2021 and May 2025.
The gangs identified as 9Raq and Thirdside are accused of operating in the Claremont, Belmont, and surrounding Bronx areas. Surveillance footage captured several brazen attacks, including a March 30 incident where masked individuals opened fire on rivals along Morris Avenue, and another where a shooter fired from the back of a moped on East 180th Street. In one tragic case, a 9Raq member, Nixon Rodriguez, was fatally shot by his own crew during a retaliatory mission on Olinville Avenue in June 2023.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Mayor Eric Adams, and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stood before a display of seized weapons to announce the charges, condemning the "callous disregard for human life" shown by the suspects. Clark noted that nine of those indicted are teenagers, and in one instance, an adult gang member allegedly handed a gun to a teen and instructed them to shoot a rival. The violence has also injured innocent bystanders, including a 75-year-old man struck in the thigh during a September 2022 shooting.
Investigators say gang members often bragged about their crimes on social media, with one Thirdside defendant posting a drill rap video admitting involvement in a March shootout with 9Raq. The video, which included violent lyrics and references, helped authorities build their case.
As of June 2025, six defendants have been arrested, four have been arraigned, and four remain at large. Ten others are already in custody on unrelated charges and will be arraigned at a later date.
Other Bronx Developments
In a separate incident, a 17-year-old was fatally shot in the head on Tuesday, prompting an ongoing police search for the suspect. The tragedy has intensified community concerns about escalating gun violence.
Authorities also ruled a decomposing body found in a Bronx apartment last week as a homicide, launching a new investigation.
On a positive note, a firefighter critically injured in a five-alarm blaze near Devoe Terrace was released from the hospital late Monday. The fire, fueled by lithium-ion batteries, caused significant damage and injured three other emergency responders.
Community debates continue over a proposed casino development, with some residents voicing concerns that entertainment projects are being prioritized over essential services such as schools and hospitals.