Queens DA Crushes Ruthless Gang: Streets Reclaimed from Chaos

Paul Riverbank, 11/21/2025Queens busts notorious gang, restoring hope and safety after years of violence and fear.

They called themselves Bad-Co Ballout, a name whispered in classrooms and on stoops. Whether you were an old-timer walking a dog or a teenager waiting for the bus, you knew their shadow. At least, until Thursday. That’s when NYPD and prosecutors dropped the curtain on what officials now describe as the largest gang bust Queens has ever seen.

Thirty-two alleged members have been indicted, some barely old enough to drive. At the center of it all stands Jahvon Attapoku, just 21, but widely—and ominously—known as “Shady.” Prosecutors allege he wasn’t just a participant, but the architect, directing violence from the shadows. Forging “Shadyville” out of a patchwork of fear.

What happened under Attapoku’s regime? Stories abound. There’s the afternoon shootout in broad daylight—bullets in the air outside a fast food joint, parents ducking for cover. One case left the community staggered: William Alcindor, 66, was caught in the middle of a rivalry, driving home from an errand when a stray bullet claimed his life. His car, now out of control, collided with a young woman who, months later, is still teaching herself to walk again. These are not isolated incidents; prosecutors tie the gang to 13 fatal shootings since last year alone.

Ask the neighborhood kids, and they’ll tell you about the time a teenage girl got hit by a stray bullet while studying for a test at home—a reminder that, here, violence sometimes walks right through your front door. The randomness, prosecutors say, was part of what made this group so terrifying—no time or place was off limits, not even schools or playgrounds. Commissioner Jessica Tisch, not known for dramatics, dubbed them “Brazen,” and you could see why. One member even adopted the nickname “Broad Day,” a badge of honor for firing his weapon before sunset.

But if crime flourished in the shadows, its afterlife appeared online. The gang, oddly brazen, took to YouTube and social media to celebrate their exploits, uploading taunts and victories for anyone willing to watch.

Building the case wasn’t easy. Detectives spent years piecing together patterns—early-morning raids, late-night interviews, and the sort of dogged paperwork only the most persistent pursue. By the time they moved in, some suspects were already behind bars for other crimes. Three, as of this writing, remain at large.

The indictment list reads long: murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, weapons charges. Six of those arrested could spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

For Queens, and especially for the families of the victims, this isn’t just a matter of statistics or headlines. It’s about sending children off to school without wondering if the block will still be standing at pick-up. It’s about hearing the late-night laughter of teenagers and not wondering if a car will screech to a halt. For now, at least, people here are hoping the return to peace will outlast the headlines.

The real test—whether the quiet holds—still lies ahead.

On a chilly morning in Queens Village this past week, the familiar corners looked a little less tense. There was something different in the air—maybe relief, maybe just less fear—after news broke that authorities had finally dismantled a gang that shaped daily life here for years.They called themselves Bad-Co Ballout, a name whispered in classrooms and on stoops. Whether you were an old-timer walking a dog or a teenager waiting for the bus, you knew their shadow. At least, until Thursday. That’s when NYPD and prosecutors dropped the curtain on what officials now describe as the largest gang bust Queens has ever seen.Thirty-two alleged members have been indicted, some barely old enough to drive. At the center of it all stands Jahvon Attapoku, just 21, but widely—and ominously—known as “Shady.” Prosecutors allege he wasn’t just a participant, but the architect, directing violence from the shadows. Forging “Shadyville” out of a patchwork of fear.What happened under Attapoku’s regime? Stories abound. There’s the afternoon shootout in broad daylight—bullets in the air outside a fast food joint, parents ducking for cover. One case left the community staggered: William Alcindor, 66, was caught in the middle of a rivalry, driving home from an errand when a stray bullet claimed his life. His car, now out of control, collided with a young woman who, months later, is still teaching herself to walk again. These are not isolated incidents; prosecutors tie the gang to 13 fatal shootings since last year alone.Ask the neighborhood kids, and they’ll tell you about the time a teenage girl got hit by a stray bullet while studying for a test at home—a reminder that, here, violence sometimes walks right through your front door. The randomness, prosecutors say, was part of what made this group so terrifying—no time or place was off limits, not even schools or playgrounds. Commissioner Jessica Tisch, not known for dramatics, dubbed them “Brazen,” and you could see why. One member even adopted the nickname “Broad Day,” a badge of honor for firing his weapon before sunset.But if crime flourished in the shadows, its afterlife appeared online. The gang, oddly brazen, took to YouTube and social media to celebrate their exploits, uploading taunts and victories for anyone willing to watch.Building the case wasn’t easy. Detectives spent years piecing together patterns—early-morning raids, late-night interviews, and the sort of dogged paperwork only the most persistent pursue. By the time they moved in, some suspects were already behind bars for other crimes. Three, as of this writing, remain at large.The indictment list reads long: murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, weapons charges. Six of those arrested could spend the rest of their lives behind bars.For Queens, and especially for the families of the victims, this isn’t just a matter of statistics or headlines. It’s about sending children off to school without wondering if the block will still be standing at pick-up. It’s about hearing the late-night laughter of teenagers and not wondering if a car will screech to a halt. For now, at least, people here are hoping the return to peace will outlast the headlines.The real test—whether the quiet holds—still lies ahead.