Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced that MICHAEL ROWE, a/k/a “MJ,” was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition during a shooting that occurred on Saturday afternoon, April 29, 2023, on a crowded sidewalk near 46th Street and Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. ROWE surrendered and was presented today before United States Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, this past Saturday afternoon, Michael Rowe opened fire on a busy sidewalk in Hell’s Kitchen, endangering the life of his intended victim and the lives of countless bystanders. Thanks to the swift action of our law enforcement partners, the defendant is now being held accountable for his actions.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: "Rowe's alleged actions endangered numerous innocent people simply attempting to live their lives safely - something we all should feel free to do. The charges today should serve as a warning to any individual willing to settle arguments in a similar fashion - the FBI and our partners in law enforcement will hold you accountable in the criminal justice system."
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “The NYPD will never relent in our fight against gun violence in our city. And anyone who threatens our public safety with such reckless behavior must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. This work is critically important, and I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the New York Field Office of the FBI, and everyone else who aided in this arrest.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]
On or about April 29, 2023, MICHAEL ROWE got into a disagreement with another individual on the sidewalk in the vicinity of 650 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. Video footage from the scene reveals ROWE appearing to express annoyance and then brandishing a firearm on the crowded sidewalk and shooting at the other individual. Screenshots of video footage showing the argument and ROWE’s subsequent shooting of the individual are below:
A discharged shell casing was recovered from the ground at the scene of the shooting. ROWE was not permitted to possess ammunition because of prior state and federal felony convictions.
MICHAEL ROWE, 23, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with possessing ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI and the NYPD. Mr. Williams also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New York County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this case.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Balsamello, Peter Davis, and Jamie Bagliebter are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
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