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 Taste of the City Lounge in Brooklyn. The incident resulted in three deaths and ten injuries. Roy faces charges of assault in aid of racketeering and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Authorities identified him as an associate of the 5-9 Brims, a subset of the Bloods street gang active in Brooklyn.
Roy was arrested on September 18, 2025, in North Carolina. He is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.
The announcement was made by 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 New York City Police Department.
“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 thanked several investigative teams involved with responding to and investigating the incident.
“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,” stated FBI Assistant Director Raia. “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.”
“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,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “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 from court documents, Roy was present at Taste of the City Lounge during early morning hours alongside other members of his gang as well as members from rival group Folk Nation Gangster Disciples (GD). At around 3 a.m., gunfire erupted between these groups inside the establishment; over 40 shots were fired within approximately six seconds resulting in multiple casualties.
The criminal complaint notes that all charges are allegations at this stage; Roy is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dana Rehnquist and Daniel J. Marcus from the Organized Crime and Gangs Section with support from paralegal staff.
Elijah Roy is listed as age 25 from Brooklyn.
