Sixteen teenagers from rival East Harlem gangs face serious charges after a year-long shooting spree that accounted for half of all shootings in their precinct, as authorities seize 15 illegal weapons in their crackdown on youth violence.
At a Glance
- Sixteen teenage gang members from “LA World” and “Wuski” crews charged in connection with 21 shootings in East Harlem
- The gang violence accounted for nearly 50% of all shootings in the 23rd Precinct from March 2024 to February 2025
- Thirteen of the alleged gang members were under 18 years old when the crimes occurred
- Police seized 15 illegal semi-automatic weapons during the investigation
- Eight suspects were immediately arrested, four were already in custody on other charges, and four remain at large
Teenage Gang Violence Terrorizes East Harlem
New York City authorities have arrested sixteen teenagers allegedly responsible for a wave of gang violence that terrorized East Harlem neighborhoods over the past year. The young suspects, members of rival gangs “LA World” and “Wuski,” are charged with involvement in 21 shootings between March 2024 and February 2025. This violence represented approximately half of all shooting incidents recorded in the NYPD’s 23rd Precinct during that period. Thirteen of the sixteen alleged gang members were under 18 years old at the time of the shootings, with charges including second-degree conspiracy, attempted murder, and criminal possession of weapons.
The violence reportedly began following the fatal shooting of Harry Mendoza, a member of LA World, and a 16-year-old girl in March 2024. What followed was a deadly cycle of retribution between the rival crews, with one 16-year-old LA World member, Xavier Roberts, charged with participating in five shootings in a single week. The violence was concentrated around public housing developments, with LA World operating out of NYCHA’s Lehman and AK Houses, while Wuski members were based in the Johnson Houses.
Public Safety Crisis and Law Enforcement Response
The gang warfare created an atmosphere of terror as young gunmen fired weapons in densely populated areas, including near playgrounds, bus stops, and residential buildings. Many shootings occurred during daylight hours on crowded streets, putting countless innocent bystanders at risk. Law enforcement officials confiscated 15 illegal semi-automatic weapons during their investigation, highlighting the serious firepower these young gang members possessed.
“Bullets flying everywhere: on crowded street corners, near innocent bystanders, at playgrounds, near children, through the windows of a NYCHA lobby, and a residential unit, and a bus stop.”, says the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Of the sixteen indicted individuals, eight were apprehended immediately, four were already in custody on separate charges, and four remain at large. Twelve of the alleged gang members were expected to appear in court following the arrests. The charges came after extensive investigation by the NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which pieced together evidence from the nearly two dozen shooting incidents.
Officials Decry Youth Violence and Public Danger
City officials expressed grave concern over both the ages of those involved and the outsized impact this small group had on neighborhood safety. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the need to remove chronic violent offenders from the streets, noting the disproportionate effect these sixteen individuals had on crime statistics. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the situation as a “personal battleground” created by the gangs in residential neighborhoods.
According to the NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch: “For months, these gang members turned East Harlem into their personal battleground, and now their cycle of violence and retaliation is over.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg acknowledged the difficulty of bringing serious charges against such young defendants, but emphasized that public safety necessitated action. The case highlights ongoing challenges with youth violence in urban centers and raises questions about how to address the root causes that lead teenagers to join violent gangs. With thirteen of the sixteen alleged shooters being minors at the time of their crimes, the case also spotlights concerns about juvenile justice and rehabilitation versus punishment for violent youth offenders.
