A Brooklyn gang member has been sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for the murder of a rival crew member, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced this week.
Malik Bacchus, 22, a Crown Heights resident and member of the Bergen Fam gang, was found guilty of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and third-degree grand larceny.
The Brooklyn D.A. says that the incident took place back on July 10, 2020.
During that day, 18-year old Shamel Boomer (a resident of Brownsville and member of the WOOO gang, a rival faction of Bergen Fam) and his friends reportedly checked into the Sunborn Hotel in East New York.
Later that same day, Bacchus — who had stolen a food delivery driver’s vehicle earlier in the day — checked into the same hotel with his three friends, who would later inform him of Boomer’s presence after spotting the rival gang member in the lobby, according to the investigation.
Following that intel, Bacchus reportedly made his way down to the lobby to ambush Boomer, pulling out an illegal firearm and shooting at him at close range.
According to evidence, one of the bullets struck the victim’s shoulder, puncturing both of his lungs in the process. He was later taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he would be pronounced dead.
District Attorney Gonzalez says that, following the incident, Bacchus attempted to flee the scene of the crime, but would be linked to the murder via surveillance footage and DNA evidence. The Bergen Fam member was eventually arrested by authorities in Chico, California and returned back to Brooklyn to face trial.
“This murder and the violent retaliation it sparked is another example of the pervasive cycle of gang violence that is destroying too many young lives in Brooklyn,” said District Attorney Gonzalez. “I am committed to holding accountable those responsible for shootings, and, as in this terrible instance, shooting deaths that endanger all Brooklynites.”
