Earlier today, defendant Steven Bynum was arrested and charged with firing a handgun into a group of people in furtherance of a drug distribution conspiracy on September 10, 2017, when he shot a pregnant innocent bystander in the head during a drug dispute. Bynum’s initial appearance is scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. If convicted of the charges, Bynum faces up to life imprisonment.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. Devito, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the charges.
"As alleged in the complaint, Bynum showed no regard for human life when he opened fire in the middle of the day on a group of people standing on Dean Street in Brooklyn, severely wounding a pregnant bystander," stated United States Attorney Donoghue. "The Eastern District will continue working tirelessly with our local and federal partners to hold violent drug traffickers responsible for their activities that put the entire community in danger." "As alleged, Bynum committed a brazen act of violence that showed a reckless disregard for his fellow citizens," stated ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Devito. "He is an example of the type of violent individual that presents a clear and present danger to the law abiding people in the community. The ATF-NYPD Joint Robbery Task Force stands committed to protecting the public from individuals like Bynum that spread violence and fear in their community. I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their work on this case."
"Gun violence has no place in New York City. In working to reduce crime past already record-lows in New York City, the NYPD is relentless in our pursuit of the relatively small percentage of the population driving the violence and disorder. I commend the NYPD detectives, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, and the members of ATF, involved in this investigation whose work resulted in this arrest. Together, we are making the safest large city in America even safer," stated NYPD Commissioner O’Neill.
According to the complaint, on September 10, 2017 at 12:40 p.m., Bynum was driving a silver Nissan Altima when he fired shots toward a group of people standing in front of 2065 Dean Street in Brownsville. A bystander, who was five-months pregnant at the time, was shot in the head, but survived. A witness to the shooting told members of law enforcement that Bynum was attempting to murder another individual in the group because of a dispute over drugs.
The charges announced today are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics & Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Tyler J. Smith and Francisco J. Navarro are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
STEVEN BYNUM (also known as "Nitty")
Age: 37
Brooklyn, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-MJ-427
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