4 gunmen face federal charges for shooting victim 9 times near Bronx schools
Four men were charged with taking part in a raucous shootout outside a pair of Bronx schools that left an innocent victim with nine gunshot wounds.
The complaint against Leo Bonilla, Rimel Mack, Yomel Mack, and Bryant Torres for the Aug. 24 shootout was unsealed Wednesday, said the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Yomel Mack, who was stabbed earlier in the day, was walking the block of Andrews Ave near W. Burnside Ave. around 4:30 p.m. with Bryant Torres and Rimel Mack, prosecutors said. The trio turned and retraced their steps before they reached the corner, retreading ground in a kind of patrol 'so that perpetrators may find and attack rivals, and failing that, demonstrate toughness and dominance,' according to the complaint.
Suddenly, Bonilla fired shots from a residential building across the street from P.S. 396 and Middle School 390, and Torres and the two Macks returned fire, said prosecutors. Yomel Mack and Torres were both struck, with Torres crawling to an SUV and, surveillance video showed, reaching up to a rear tire where a SCCY CPX-2 9mm firearm was later found by cops.
The Macks fled on Andrews Ave. toward W. 179th St., opening fire on a man hiding under the open hatch of a red pickup truck, said prosecutors. A chilling photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office shows the terrified victim crouched on the pavement, both arms wrapped around his head, as the Macks take aim at him from only a few feet away.
The victim was hit twice in each arm, twice in his right hip, once to his left hip and twice to his left knee. He was taken to BronxCare Hospital, said prosecutors. A total of 25 shell casings as well as five spent bullets were collected from the scene, court papers said.
The defendants are charged with possession of a firearm in a school zone, conspiracy to possess a firearm in a school zone and possession of ammunition after a felony conviction.
Rimel Mack has not been arrested and remains at large.
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