Brooklyn Gang Member Indicted for Multiple Shootings and Firearms Offenses

 

Darrius Sutton Allegedly Wounded Four Victims Over Nine Months in 2019 and 2020

 A nine-count superseding indictment was filed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Darrius Sutton, also known as “Blizz Meecho,” with violent crimes in-aid-of racketeering — including attempted murder and related firearms offenses.  Sutton is already in federal custody following his arrest in July 2020 on charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition.  He will be arraigned on the superseding indictment at a later date.  

Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the superseding indictment.

“As alleged in the superseding indictment, the defendant terrorized the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn by engaging in armed warfare with rival gangs, and innocent bystanders were caught in the crossfire,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Kasulis.  “This Office is working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to take violent gang members off the street and put an end to senseless violence plaguing communities in the district.” 

“Members of criminal gangs often don’t fear the consequences of their actions, but Mr. Sutton now faces a long stay in federal prison for his alleged crimes. Our FBI Metro Safe Streets Task Force and law enforcement partners haven’t backed off our pursuit of these groups and stopping the chaos gangs create,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll. 

“This case highlights the NYPD’s and our law enforcement partners relentless pursuit of those few individuals who drive the worst kinds of violence and disorder in the city.  I want to thank our colleagues at the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their commitment in bringing this individual to justice,” stated NYPD Commissioner Shea.

As set forth in court filings, Sutton is a member of an East New York-based gang called “Bamalife,” which has ongoing and violent rivalries with other gangs in East New York and elsewhere in Brooklyn. The charges in the superseding indictment relate to three non-fatal shootings in East New York in which four individuals were wounded.

The August 11, 2019 Shooting

As alleged, on August 11, 2019, Sutton attended a party at a rental hall located at 2529 Atlantic Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn.  Surveillance video and other evidence established that shortly after Sutton left the party, he confronted a member of a rival gang who was also leaving the party.  Sutton demanded to know if the victim was a member of the rival gang; Sutton began shooting and pursuing the intended victim as the victim attempted to flee.  In addition to striking his intended victim in the forearms and groin, Sutton’s gunfire also wounded an innocent bystander in the leg.   

The April 20, 2020 Shooting

As alleged, on April 20, 2020, Sutton ambushed a victim in the vicinity of 375 Sheffield Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn.  Surveillance video shows Sutton approaching the victim undetected from behind, drawing his weapon, firing several shots and striking the male in the chest, thigh and wrist.  

The May 16, 2020 Shooting

As alleged, on May 16, 2020, Sutton shot a member of a rival gang in the vicinity of 2211 Pitkin Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn.  Surveillance video shows two cars pulling up to a location approximately four blocks from the scene of the shooting.  Sutton exited one of the cars and walked to 2211 Pitkin Avenue, where members of a rival gang are known to congregate.  Sutton entered the lobby of the building with a firearm in his hand.  Moments later, Sutton shot the victim in the courtyard of the building.  

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The charges in the indictments are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.