Marquis Isreal, Courthouse Shooting, Connecticut 2020

Marquis Isreal, also known as “Garf” or “Gbaby,” 25, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to racketeering offenses related to his participation in a gang-related shooting in front of a state courthouse in Bridgeport, Connecticut in January 2020.

The shooting occurred on January 27, 2020, at 12:11 p.m. in front of the state courthouse located at 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport. Four victims were shot while sitting inside a black Chevrolet Impala, with one victim left paralyzed and another sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

Marquis Isreal admitted to being a member of the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”) gang, which has been involved in narcotics trafficking, murder, and other acts of violence. Isreal’s associates attempted to kill members and associates of the East End gang on the day of the shooting.

The FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs, including the “Original North End” and the “Greene Homes Boyz.”

Marquis Isreal pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder and aiding and abetting, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder, both in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (“VCAR”) statute.

Isreal has been detained since August 6, 2020, and faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. His sentencing is scheduled for December 3, 2021.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the ATF, FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory, and the Naugatuck Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale, Peter D. Markle, and Karen L. Peck.

This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

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