Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
A Brooklyn man has been charged in connection with a daytime shooting that occurred near Kelly Playground and a middle school in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. According to federal authorities, Michael Zayas allegedly fired a gun ten times in the vicinity of children and students on January 14, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton announced the unsealing of the complaint against Zayas, who was arrested and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein. Clayton stated: “As alleged, Michael Zayas brazenly and unlawfully carried a firearm into a residential neighborhood—across the street from a playground where children were playing, and just down the street from a middle school—and fired it in the air 10 times. Zayas’s alleged conduct sowed fear and panic among New York residents and visitors, including hundreds of children at the middle school, which was put into lockdown when the gunfire erupted. Our career prosecutors and dedicated partners will continue to act to bring to justice those who commit gun crimes and ensure that our playgrounds, schools, and streets are safe from threat. That’s what New Yorkers want, and we hear them.”
Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Field Office, commented: “This brazen, broad-daylight shooting—mere steps from a school and a playground and allegedly at the hands of a convicted felon—endangered innocent lives and disrupted the safety of our community. Zayas’ swift identification and arrest is a testament to the outstanding collaboration between HSI New York, the NYPD, and our federal law enforcement partners. HSI New York remains steadfast in our commitment to pursuing violent offenders and protecting the public from senseless acts.”
Authorities report that on January 14 at approximately 2:42 p.m., a masked individual fired around ten rounds near Kelly Playground at 17th Street and 8th Avenue before fleeing. This led to at least one nearby school being placed on lockdown for safety reasons. Police recovered ten spent cartridges at the scene.
Law enforcement later identified Zayas as the shooter through surveillance footage showing him entering an apartment building elevator shortly before the incident; he was then seen masked while fleeing westbound after firing shots.
Zayas is charged with possession of ammunition after felony conviction—a charge carrying up to fifteen years in prison if convicted. Sentencing decisions will be made by a judge according to congressional guidelines.
The investigation involved collaboration between HSI New York, NYPD officers, federal prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Hoffman and Benjamin Levander from the Violent Organizations & Crime Unit.
U.S. Attorney Clayton commended both agencies for their investigative efforts.
All allegations described remain accusations unless proven otherwise in court proceedings.
