36 Brooklyn Gang Members Charged in Deadly Feud Linked to Pop Smoke

Prosecutors say the WOOO and CHOO factions waged a 'vicious campaign of retaliation' that terrorized communities for years.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:09am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh camera flash, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of the gang-related shootings described in the story.A stark visual representation of the violent gang conflict that has terrorized Brooklyn communities for years.Brooklyn Today

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced indictments against 36 individuals tied to the rival WOOO and CHOO street gangs, whose bloody feud was famously linked to the late rapper Pop Smoke. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon, with prosecutors alleging the gangs were responsible for 36 separate shootings that claimed one life and wounded 10 others.

Why it matters

The WOOO and CHOO gangs have been at the center of a longstanding territorial dispute in Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood, with their rivalry fueling much of the borough's recent gun violence. The crackdown represents a major law enforcement effort to disrupt these criminal networks and restore a sense of safety in the community.

The details

According to prosecutors, the WOOO (We On Our Own) and CHOO factions engaged in a 'vicious campaign of retaliation and retribution' marked by shootouts and attacks that 'terrorized these communities for years.' Much of the friction began online, with taunts on social media and in music videos escalating into physical violence, including incidents where gang members traveled directly into rival neighborhoods to open fire. One of the most tragic moments highlighted in the 188-count indictment was the June 29 murder of 34-year-old Tahriq Thompson, who was killed near Riverdale Avenue and Osborn Street.

  • On April 18, 2026, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the indictments.
  • The 188-count indictment includes charges related to a June 29 murder and other shootings dating back to 2023.

The players

Eric Gonzalez

The Brooklyn District Attorney who announced the indictments against the WOOO and CHOO gang members.

Jessica Tisch

The NYPD Commissioner who joined Gonzalez in announcing the crackdown on the two rival gangs.

Tahriq Thompson

A 34-year-old man who was murdered near Riverdale Avenue and Osborn Street, one of the tragic incidents highlighted in the indictment.

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What they’re saying

“The indictments announced today are the culmination of a long-term investigation into some of the most violent criminals in New York City. Their vicious campaign of retaliation and retribution, waged with absolutely no regard for human life, turned every slight into a shootout and terrorized these communities for years.”

— Jessica Tisch, NYPD Commissioner

“Our success in focusing on the drivers of crime, such as those charged in this indictment, while also working with community groups on preventative efforts, led to record low gun violence in Brooklyn last year, with major declines in Brownsville that continued into this year. I commend the NYPD and our prosecutors for their tireless work in keeping our communities safe.”

— Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney

What’s next

Prosecutors will continue to build their case against the 36 indicted gang members, with the judge set to rule on bail for the defendants in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This crackdown on the WOOO and CHOO gangs represents a significant law enforcement effort to disrupt the cycle of retaliatory violence that has plagued Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood for years, with the goal of restoring a sense of safety and security in the community.