In a significant raid that was spurred by the stray-bullet killing of an innocent Queens mom two years ago, nearly two dozen of New York City's "most dangerous" gang members were taken off the streets, authorities announced Tuesday.
Gudelia Vallinas, a 37-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot in Mar. 2021 while returning from shopping for her family. This tragic death sparked an investigation that, according to prosecutors, eventually resulted in the 84-count indictment against 23 alleged gang members.
Deputy Chief Jason Savino said, decrying the act of violence as "absolutely horrific."
"Miss. Vallinas is our American dream, whose life was suddenly halted due to gang members recklessly firing bullets, with total disregard of anybody around them," Savino said.
Gudelia Vallinas was tragically taken from her friends, family, and children on 03/12. We will not rest until her killers are brought to justice. I am once again imploring anyone with information that may help with this investigation and apprehension of the perpetrators to call. pic.twitter.com/5FjnOL8MMW
— NYPD Housing PSA 9 (@NYPDPSA9) March 27, 2021
On Mar. 21, 2021, in Woodside, Vallinas, a Mexican immigrant who worked as a house cleaner, was shot in the head by a stray bullet while she was returning home. According to the authorities, the shooting was a result of an ongoing conflict between two gangs.
The rivalry began in 2018 when a drug deal caused the relationship between the two Crips gangs in the Woodside and Astoria public housing areas to fall apart.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said at a press conference announcing the indictment, "The reckless criminality we saw during this investigation is the kind of lawlessness that has killed law-abiding citizens of New York that have been caught in the crossfire of gang violence."
The "Rolling Crips," also known as "Hip Hop Boys," are a group of Crips from the Astoria Houses area. According to the DA's Office, the members of Woodside Houses are "8 Trey Crip" set members who rap under the name "True Cash Gettas," New York Post reported.
"Our beautiful Queens is just a bit safer with some of the most dangerous individuals in all of Queens now in custody," Savino said the indictment targets the "alphas" in the gang. Those charged range in age from 21 to 40.
According to authorities, eighteen of the men are charged with crimes involving shootings. The remaining defendants were accused of conspiracy and other offenses, while fifteen were charged with attempted murder.
Benaiah Reid and Dajuan Williams, both 19 at the time, were accused in connection with Vallinas' killing but were not identified in the indictment that was released on Tuesday.
Her father-in-law stated to The Post of Vallinas immediately after her death, "Her greatest joy was her family.
The devoted mother, who raised her son, 10, and daughter, 9, in a first-floor rowhouse apartment, was fatally shot at Broadway and 48th Street, according to the family.
"Gangs plus guns equal graves and our goal is to be proactive, and not just one gun at a time but to take down these dangerous individuals who are carrying around guns," Mayor Eric Adams said at the Tuesday press conference.
City officials "will be back with more cases and more arrests wherever violent criminals threaten our communities," according to Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
Sewell told reporters, "Other gangs who believe that they too could create a culture of fear in our city, those who believe that are wrong."
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