Delta jets collide at low speed on taxiway at LaGuardia Airport, injuring 1

Key Takeaways:

• Rival gang members exchanged over 40 shots inside the crowded Taste of City Lounge
• Three people, including a possible bystander, lost their lives
• Arrests and charges include violent assault in aid of racketeering and illegal ammunition possession
• Mayor Eric Adams condemned the violence but noted that overall gun crime in 2025 remains at record-low levels
• Federal prosecutors cited inter-gang tensions between the 5-9 Brims and the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples

Delta Jets Collide at LaGuardia

According to the feed’s title, two Delta planes collided at low speed on a taxiway at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in one injury. While details in the original feed remain limited on this incident, it serves as an example of unexpected events that can disrupt New York’s routine.

Brooklyn Bar Shooting

In a separate and far more lethal event, federal prosecutors allege that a summer night at the Taste of City Lounge in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, turned violent at around 3:30 a.m. on August 17. As patrons danced and socialized, a dispute erupted between two rival gangs, quickly escalating into deadly gunfire inside the packed establishment.

Confrontation Between Rival Gangs

Prosecutors report that 19-year-old Marvin St. Louis, affiliated with the 5-9 Brims—a subset of the Bloods—began taunting 35-year-old Jamel Childs, a member of the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples. This verbal sparring rapidly led to an exchange of shots. At least 40 bullets were fired in the chaotic moments that ensued, with bullets striking walls and sending club-goers scrambling for cover.

Casualties and Suspects

The gun battle claimed three lives, including that of St. Louis and another individual identified in the feed as “St. Louis” once again. A possible bystander, 27-year-old Amadou Diallo, was also killed. In total, ten people were injured. Surveillance footage, released by authorities for the first time this week, captures the panic and confusion as the melee unfolded.

Criminal Complaint Against Alleged Shooter

Among those allegedly involved was 25-year-old gang member, Elijah Roy. After diving beneath a table, Roy fired two shots, according to prosecutors, though it remains unclear if his bullets caused any additional injuries. Roy then left the city, only to be tracked down in North Carolina, where authorities found him carrying $7,000 in cash. He now faces charges that include violent assault in aid of racketeering and illegal possession of ammunition.

Mayor and City Officials Respond

At a vigil for the victims held in August, Mayor Eric Adams addressed the community, stating that “what happened in the Taste of the City is not a reflection of our city.” The statement underscored officials’ belief that, despite the grim events at the Crown Heights lounge, New York City remains safer than it has been in years. Police data support this view, documenting historically low shooting incidents across the boroughs in 2025.

Looking Ahead

Even as New York City claims a record-low year for gun violence, this incident demonstrates that gang rivalries continue to pose a threat to public safety. Prosecutors hope the arrests and newly released evidence will help dissuade future violence, while community leaders and elected officials vow to keep the city on a downward trajectory for gun-related crimes.