Senseless acts of violence caught on video have led to a gang takedown in Brooklyn. NY1 Criminal Justice Reporter Dean Meminger says police officers are keeping their eyes on other Brooklyn gangs as well.
Police and the Brooklyn DA's office say the True Bosses Only — or TBO gang — was responsible for more than nine shootings over the last two years. Six people were wounded, and another was hit by flying glass.
"Three of them were totally innocent bystanders," said NYPD Chief James Essig. "Two innocents were nearly hit. Clearly, these perpetrators have no concern for residents of this community."
That community is Bushwick, Brooklyn. Police say they know of at least 60 people who are members of True Bosses Only.
12 of them were busted Thursday on charges that included attempted murder, weapons possession, and conspiracy.
In one horrifying incident, seem in the video above, a bullet tore through the window of a B13 bus on Wyckoff Ave., nearly killing a passenger.
Prosecutors say Gilbert Arciliares was firing at rival gang members on the street, missing a woman's head by inches.
"We will continue to go after violent street crime, and we will go after these gangs members," Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.
Prosecutors say the shootings are part of a turf war among TBO, the Elm Street Piru, and the Loot and 900 gangs.
They also allege that some of the violence represents retaliation for the shooting death of a TBO member in 2013 — violence that puts innocent people at risk, like a shooting, also caught on video, that resulted in a man nearly being shot in the head as he walked by.
Another man sitting in his car was almost hit as well. Hector Lleras is the alleged gunman.
In one case, a gang member who was shot and ended up in a coma would not cooperate with investigators when he finally recovered.
Authorities say most gang members will not snitch on each other, which makes the cases harder to solve.
The TBO members who appeared in court pleaded not guilty. If convicted on the top charge, they could face 25 years in prison.