Long Island Man Charged In Bronx Shooting

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging TERRENCE ALLEN with illegally possessing ammunition in connection with a shooting by ALLEN in the courtyard of the Melrose housing complex in the Bronx on the evening of September 21, 2023.  ALLEN was arrested today and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Terrence Allen brazenly fired 13 shots from a handgun as he casually strolled down a walkway in the courtyard of a residential building in the Bronx.  New Yorkers deserve to be safe from gun violence.  Thanks to our partners at the NYPD and the FBI, the defendant has now been apprehended.”  

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “As we allege, in the shadow of a housing complex’s playground, Allen senselessly fired a gun, threatening the community’s right to live in safety.  Along with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will hold anyone who endangers innocent lives accountable in the criminal justice system.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward A Caban said: “Today’s arrest is the result of a thorough, intelligence-led investigation by the NYPD and our law enforcement partners that is just one layer of our continuing work to eradicate gun violence in New York City.  We are relentless in these efforts because the lives and quality of life of all New Yorkers depend on it.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint:[1]

On or about September 21, 2023, at approximately 8:28 p.m., TERRENCE ALLEN walked through the courtyard of the Melrose housing complex.  As he walked, ALLEN discharged a firearm multiple times by shooting to his right.  This still image from surveillance camera footage shows ALLEN firing one of those shots, as well as an individual seated on a park bench just a few yards to ALLEN’s left. 

Upon canvassing the scene of the shooting, NYPD officers recovered 13 9mm shell casings.    

ALLEN was not permitted to possess ammunition because of prior felony convictions. 

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TERRENCE ALLEN, 41, of Freeport, New York, is charged with one count of possession of ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. 

The statutory maximum penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and NYPD.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in this matter.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Rosenberg is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.