Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
A man has been charged with possession of a machine gun following a daytime shooting in the Bronx on November 14, 2025. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that David Maldonado was indicted after allegedly firing 12 rounds from a machine gun on a public street near East 170th Street and Third Avenue. Maldonado was arrested and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Stein. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff.
"As alleged, David Maldonado used a machine gun conversion device to spray bullets on a Bronx street,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “New Yorkers want brazen, gun toting criminals off our streets and we hear them. Thanks to the prompt response of our law enforcement partners, Maldonado will now have to answer for his alleged crimes.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo stated, “The ATF/NYPD Crime Gun Enforcement Team is committed to keeping illegal machine guns out of the hands of criminals and away from our communities. We thank the New York City Police Department and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their continued partnership in keeping the public safe.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch added, “David Maldonado allegedly put New Yorkers at serious risk when he fired a fully automatic ghost gun in broad daylight on a public street, while NYPD detectives were nearby. Our detectives did exactly what they do best—they ran toward the danger, moved quickly to stop the threat, and our streets are safer because of their actions. I thank the NYPD investigators, our partners at the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their continued work to hold violent offenders accountable.”
According to statements made in court proceedings and allegations in the indictment, Maldonado—who has prior felony convictions—discharged an unserialized Polymer 80 model PF940C firearm equipped with an illegal machine gun conversion device that allowed it to fire multiple shots with one trigger pull. Two shots struck a nearby vehicle during the incident.
NYPD detectives who were close by apprehended Maldonado at the scene and recovered both the firearm and its magazine.
Maldonado faces charges including possession of ammunition after felony conviction (maximum sentence: 15 years) and possession of a machine gun (maximum sentence: 10 years). Sentencing will be determined by a judge if there is a conviction.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton commended both NYPD and ATF for their investigative efforts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon D. Harper is prosecuting this case as part of the Office’s Violent Organizations & Crime Unit.
All charges are currently allegations; Maldonado is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
