Bronx Gang Member Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Murder
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JALEEL SHAKOOR, a/k/a “Midnight,” was sentenced today to 30 years in prison in connection with the murder of Gerry Mazzella on June 3, 2021, in the Bronx, New York. SHAKOOR previously pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation of a firearm before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon, who imposed today’s sentence.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Jaleel Shakoor murdered 26-year-old Gerry Mazzella by shooting him in the back of the neck from point-blank range. Mazzella’s death was senseless. New Yorkers must be able to lead their lives free from the threat of gang violence. Gang members who commit violent crimes will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
As alleged in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court and based on statements made in public court proceedings:
From at least 2020 to 2022, SHAKOOR was a member of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation (“Gorilla Stone”), which is a set of the national Bloods gang. Gorilla Stone operated primarily in the northeast United States, including in the Bronx, and in the jails and prisons of New York City and the State of New York.
Members of Gorilla Stone committed robberies and distributed controlled substances in order to enrich themselves. They also murdered and assaulted members of rival gangs and members of Gorilla Stone in order to resolve disputes within the gang. Gorilla Stone members promoted and celebrated the gang’s criminal conduct — including drug distribution, acts of violence, and firearms usage — on social media.
On June 3, 2021, in the vicinity of West 165th Street and Woodycrest Avenue in the Bronx, SHAKOOR shot Mazzella in the back of the neck, causing Mazzella’s death. SHAKOOR committed this murder to retaliate against one of Mazzella’s friends, with whom SHAKOOR had an ongoing, gang-related dispute.
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In addition to his prison sentence, SHAKOOR, 28, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick R. Moroney, Christopher D. Brumwell, and Emily A. Johnson are in charge of the prosecution.
Nicholas Biase
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