A federal complaint was unsealed in Brooklyn charging Elijah Roy, also known as “Eli Spice” and “Swervo,” with crimes related to a mass shooting that occurred on August 17, 2025, at the Taste of the City Lounge in Brooklyn. The incident resulted in three deaths and ten additional injuries. Roy faces charges of assault in aid of racketeering and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Authorities describe Roy as an associate of the 5-9 Brims, a subset of the Bloods gang active in Brooklyn.
Roy was apprehended on September 18, 2025, in North Carolina. His arraignment is scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.
The announcement came from Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York Field Office; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the NYPD.
“As alleged, the defendant and other associates of a violent gang unleashed gunfire in the middle of a crowded bar, creating a killing zone that, in a matter of seconds, left three people dead and 10 victims wounded,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Such a flagrant disregard for human life will not go unpunished and this prosecution underscores the resolve of our Office and law enforcement to eradicate gangs in the district. It is my hope that this arrest will give some comfort to the victims’ loved ones and the traumatized survivors of this heinous crime.”
Nocella also acknowledged support from various investigative teams including FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force and local police squads involved in responding to the shooting.
FBI Assistant Director Raia said: “Elijah Roy, a Bloods associate, allegedly participated in a mass shooting in a crowded local restaurant, killing three and significantly injuring another ten in about six seconds. This alleged act of egregious violence harmed bystanders caught in the crosshairs of a gang’s territorial dispute. These Summer Heat arrests reflect the FBI’s unwavering determination to dismantle all criminal enterprises using our city for their turf war.”
NYPD Commissioner Tisch added: “The charges brought against Elijah Roy marks another step forward in our mission to dismantle the violent street gangs that terrorize our communities with illegal firearms. Alleged associates of the 5-9 Brims Gang turned a crowded club into a scene of carnage when they opened fire on their rivals, killing three people and wounding ten more. I would like to thank our NYPD investigators, including the Gun Violence Suppression Division who have carried out the most gang takedowns in the unit’s history this year, and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI for their hard work.”
According to details provided by prosecutors, Roy was present at Taste of the City Lounge during early morning hours alongside other members associated with 5-9 Brims such as Marvin St. Louis—who died during this incident—and members from rival Folk Nation Gangster Disciples (GD), including victim Jamel Childs. Around 3:00 AM gunfire erupted between these groups; over forty shots were fired within approximately six seconds into what authorities described as an already crowded venue.
Officials emphasized that all charges are currently allegations; Roy is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case is managed by prosecutors from Organized Crime and Gangs Section within U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District with support from paralegal staff.
