NYZAIRE BARNES, Gang-Related Shootings, Connecticut 2024

NYZAIRE BARNES, also known as ‘Melo,’ 20, of New Haven, was sentenced to 125 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a violent New Haven street gang, including two gang-related shootings.

In a shocking turn of events, Barnes pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity on March 11, 2024, and admitted to taking part in two gang-related shootings. These shootings include a drive-by attack on a rival gang member on January 20, 2023, where the victim was shot in the head but survived.

According to court documents, Barnes and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders since June 2018. The gang also stole vehicles and used them when committing acts of violence.

The investigation revealed that Exit 8 members and associates promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and social media applications, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale, and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis as part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

Barnes has been detained since August 3, 2023, and his co-defendant, Devin Suggs, pleaded guilty to the same charge on February 20, 2024, and awaits sentencing.

The investigation is being conducted by the ATF, FBI, DEA, New Haven Police Department, Hamden Police Department, and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.

Related Federal Cases