Authorities in Brooklyn have successfully dismantled a faction of the Bloods gang, which includes members of the 5’9 Brims, an alleged group associated with Cardi B.
Fourteen individuals who are believed to be part of the Blood sets 5’9 Brims and the Bloodhound Brims were charged this week in Brooklyn with a range of violent crimes. These charges include murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy.
The 5’9 Brims have connections to well-known individuals such as Cardi B and her close friend, Star Brim. These gangs have been accused of organizing violent assaults as part of an ongoing feud with rival gangs.
Authorities claim that the group is believed to have carried out a total of 19 shootings, resulting in the injury of nine individuals, including four innocent bystanders caught in the midst of the violence. These incidents, which occurred primarily in various Brooklyn precincts, have been ongoing since February 2021, but the situation intensified after the killing of Davonte Lewis, a member of the Bloodhound Brim gang, in April 2021.
The investigation was led by the NYPD and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. They uncovered compelling evidence by monitoring jailhouse calls, tracking social media activity, and analyzing music videos.
“Gun violence hit a record low last year because of strategic enforcement and gang takedowns like today’s, which removed 14 alleged shooters responsible for a staggering level of violence in Coney Island and Sheepshead Bay,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.
The indictment provides details of several incidents, including a shooting in May 2021 where a rival of the Folk Nation was shot multiple times. Another incident mentioned is the Halloween shooting in 2022, which resulted in the death of drill rapper and gang member Jamel Nicholson. Additionally, the indictment mentions a shooting in a sneaker store in 2023, which resulted in two civilians being injured.
The individuals facing charges span from 15 to 30 years old.
Cardi B’s close associate, Star Brim (real name Yonette Respass), has a well-established connection with the 5-9 Brims. She had previously admitted guilt in a federal racketeering conspiracy case, relating to her involvement in a brutal assault on two bartenders from Queens in 2018. This incident was allegedly carried out on behalf of Cardi B.
Brim, who was once referred to as the “Godmother” of the 5-9 Brims, has been sentenced to a little over a year in prison.
Cardi B has consistently stood up for her friendship with Brim, but court documents have made it clear multiple times that she had no role in the crimes committed by her close friend.
Brim is currently under strict supervised release conditions that prohibit any further involvement with gangs.