Individual Associated with the 5-9 Brims Gang Charged in Connection with August 17, 2025 Mass Shooting in Crown Heights

A complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Elijah Roy, also known as "Eli Spice" and "Swervo," with crimes related to the August 17, 2025 shooting at Taste of the City Lounge in Brooklyn, New York, in which three individuals were murdered and an additional 10 were shot and injured. Specifically, Roy is charged with assault in-aid-of racketeering and with being a felon in possession of ammunition. The defendant is an associate of the 5-9 Brims, a subset of the Bloods street gang, operating in and around Brooklyn.

Roy was arrested on September 18, 2025 in North Carolina. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the complaint this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the charges and arrests.

"As alleged, the defendant and other associates of a violent gang unleashed gunfire in the middle of a crowded bar, creating a killing zone that, in a matter of seconds, left three people dead and 10 victims wounded," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "Such a flagrant disregard for human life will not go unpunished and this prosecution underscores the resolve of our Office and law enforcement to eradicate gangs in the district. It is my hope that this arrest will give some comfort to the victims' loved ones and the traumatized survivors of this heinous crime."

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force, Brooklyn South Homicide Squad, the 71st Precinct Detective Squad, Brooklyn South Video Collection Team, and the first responders to this mass casualty shooting incident.

"Elijah Roy, a Bloods associate, allegedly participated in a mass shooting in a crowded local restaurant, killing three and significantly injuring another ten in about six seconds," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. "This alleged act of egregious violence harmed bystanders caught in the crosshairs of a gang's territorial dispute. These Summer Heat arrests reflect the FBI's unwavering determination to dismantle all criminal enterprises using our city for their turf war."

"The charges brought against Elijah Roy marks another step forward in our mission to dismantle the violent street gangs that terrorize our communities with illegal firearms," stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. "Alleged associates of the 5-9 Brims Gang turned a crowded club into a scene of carnage when they opened fire on their rivals, killing three people and wounding ten more. I would like to thank our NYPD investigators, including the Gun Violence Suppression Division who have carried out the most gang takedowns in the unit's history this year, and our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI for their hard work."

As set forth in the criminal complaint, in the early morning hours of August 17, 2025, the defendant was present at Taste of the City Lounge, a restaurant and hookah bar in Brooklyn, New York. Roy was with other associates of the 5-9 Brims, including Marvin St. Louis, who died as a result of the shooting. Also present at the Lounge were individuals associated with the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples (or "GD"), a rival of the 5-9 Brims that operates in and around Brooklyn, New York, including Jamel Childs, another victim of the shooting. At approximately 3 a.m., associates of the 5-9 Brims began shooting at associates of GD, who returned fire. Roy then proceeded to shoot back towards where Childs and the group of GDs were standing. Within approximately six seconds, over 40 shots were discharged by the defendant and others into the crowded bar. As a result of the shooting three people died and ten were shot and injured.

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

The government's case is being handled by the Office's Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Dana Rehnquist and Daniel J. Marcus are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Samantha Ward, Paul Padilla and Elizabeth Reed.

The Defendant:

ELIJAH ROY (also known as "Eli Spice" and "Swervo")
Age: 25
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-MJ-262