Bronx Shooter Gets 8 Years

Thomas Disla, a repeat offender from the Bronx, is headed to federal prison for 98 months after a senseless 12-hour rampage on June 3-4, 2022. The feds say Disla methodically targeted multiple victims, shooting an acquaintance in the groin, blasting at a construction worker’s car, and escalating to a brutal assault inside a crowded bar. This wasn’t a spontaneous outburst; it was a calculated spree of violence.

The first attack occurred around 3:35 p.m. on Southern Boulevard. Disla approached a man he knew – Victim-1 – and, after a brief exchange, deliberately opened fire, hitting him in the groin. The victim required immediate hospitalization and continues to suffer from the injury. Less than twelve hours later, Disla turned his rage towards a stranger. At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Wheeler Avenue, he confronted a construction worker attempting to clear a traffic barricade, yelling threats before firing at the man’s car.

The most disturbing escalation happened inside a Manor Avenue bar. Disla, brandishing a firearm, struck a patron in the face with the weapon, inflicting a severe wound that cut to the bone. He didn’t stop there. Moments later, he returned and fired a single round into the bar’s ceiling, sowing panic and risking the lives of everyone inside. This wasn’t just reckless behavior; it was an intentional act of terror.

Disla’s history is a litany of prior convictions – at least 18 before this incident – including a New York State conviction for criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree. That prior conviction already barred him from possessing ammunition, making his actions even more egregious in the eyes of federal prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing ammunition after a felony conviction, but the sheer scope of the shootings demanded a far more substantial penalty.

U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman handed down the 98-month sentence, a clear message that gun violence will not be tolerated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Sowlati, leading the General Crimes Unit, successfully argued for the severity of the punishment, highlighting Disla’s dangerous pattern of behavior. The FBI and NYPD collaborated on the investigation, gathering crucial evidence to build a solid case. Disla will also face three years of supervised release after serving his time.

This case underscores the relentless cycle of violence plaguing our streets and the commitment of the feds to holding repeat offenders accountable. While a lengthy prison sentence won’t undo the harm Disla inflicted, it removes a dangerous individual from society and sends a warning to others contemplating similar acts. The Grimy Times will continue to track this case and report on the ongoing fight against gun violence in the Bronx and beyond.