Brown and Williams Charged in Brooklyn Gang Shooting

A March 2020 shooting in Prospect Lefferts Gardens that left a man wounded in the buttocks has led to federal charges against two members of the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples. Davon Brown and Christian Williams were named in a two-count indictment unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn, accused of being felons in possession of a firearm used during the attack. The shooting erupted after a minor dispute turned violent outside the Gold Room Restaurant and Lounge, authorities say.

According to the government’s detention letter, the incident began when someone accompanying the victim threw a drink inside the restaurant, hitting a person near Brown. An argument followed. The victim, identified as a member of the rival Crips gang, allegedly flashed a gang sign known as ‘dropping the rake’—a taunt directed at Folk Nation. The confrontation spilled into the street, where Brown allegedly brandished a firearm and fired one shot into the air. He then handed the weapon to Williams, who walked behind the victim and opened fire at close range, striking him in the buttocks.

Williams fled the scene and discarded the gun just half a block away. Law enforcement recovered the firearm and later matched DNA from both Brown and Williams to the weapon. The victim survived the attack but the psychological and physical scars remain. Investigators say the shooting exemplifies the random, retaliatory nature of gang violence that plagues certain Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Davon Brown was on federal supervised release at the time of the shooting and has prior convictions for criminal possession of a loaded firearm, robbery, and racketeering conspiracy. Christian Williams, on New York state parole at the time, has a criminal history including conspiracy and criminal possession of a loaded firearm tied to an earlier shooting of a Folk Nation rival. Both men face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted. Brown also faces up to two additional years if found to have violated his supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Seth D. DuCharme, FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr., and NYPD Commissioner Dermot F. Shea announced the charges. ‘Preventing gun violence by repeat offenders is a priority of this Office,’ said DuCharme. ‘As alleged, a minor dispute escalated to a shooting, underscoring the need to eradicate violent gangs that jeopardize the safety of our communities.’

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated law enforcement action. The defendants were arrested this morning and made their initial appearance via videoconference before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. The charges are allegations; Brown and Williams are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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