A 19-year-old with no criminal record started a deadly gang-related shooting at a Brooklyn lounge when he opened fire on a rival. He was later killed in the gun battle, police said Monday.
According to the NYPD, Marvin St. Louis, 19, fired the first shots at Jamel Childs, 35, a member of the Folk Nation gang. Childs shot back, and two more men also started shooting.
Both St. Louis and Childs died, along with Amadou Diallo, 27, who police said was an innocent bystander.
“I was trying to call him but there was no answer,” said Mamadou Sanoussy Diallo, Amadou’s cousin. “I went to bed and when I woke up, my aunt told me Amadou was killed.”
Amadou had moved to the U.S. from Guinea in 2023 and worked as a food delivery driver. “He was doing Uber, DoorDash, everything,” Mamadou told the Daily News. “He made his living honestly. No stealing, nothing.”
Fourteen People Shot
Police confirmed that 14 people were shot in the gun battle between the Folk Nation and the Spice Gang.
At first, officers thought 12 people had been hit, but two more victims later showed up at hospitals with bullet wounds.
Surveillance video from inside Taste of the City Lounge on Franklin Avenue showed the moments before the 3:30 a.m. shooting. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said St. Louis and Childs were seen talking, but then St. Louis suddenly pulled a gun and fired.
Childs shot back, and two other gunmen joined in. Police are still looking for those two shooters.
Most of the people hurt were not gang members, though three were linked to Folk Nation.
Childs had eight prior arrests. St. Louis had no criminal history.
Families in Shock
St. Louis’ aunt, who gave her name as Imacula, said the family is devastated.
“He’s the youngest that died — that’s too painful,” she said. “He was very young. We didn’t want him to be involved in this kind of thing.”
She described him as a happy, respectful student who came from a religious family. “He was very nice to us. He didn’t show us any bad side,” she said.
Police found 42 shell casings inside and outside the lounge.
The lounge released a statement on Instagram:
“The safety and well-being of our guests and community has always been our top priority. We ask for compassion, respect and privacy for those grieving as we stand together with our community in mourning.”
Chaos Inside the Club
People inside the crowded lounge said they ran for their lives.
“We was just in there,” said Marie Desir, 40, a mother of two. “I heard a few gunshots and then people on the floor, running, trying to save their life just like I did. I ducked down and found a way to get out.”
Vigil for Victims
On Monday night, Mayor Eric Adams joined about 100 people outside the lounge for a vigil. Community members and activists prayed and held a moment of silence.
Adams told Amadou’s cousin that his staff would help the family. He also urged the community not to see the shooting as a reflection of the entire city.
“This,” Adams said, “is a reflection of our city — the people who are here, showing support for each other.”
