5 Charged In Firearm Conspiracy Linked To 9 Harlem Shootings: DA

HARLEM, NY — Five young men have been indicted for allegedly conspiring to arm themselves and carry out nine shooting incidents across Harlem over nearly a year, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Tuesday.

Prosecutors allege the defendants targeted rival groups and carried out shootings in and around multiple NYCHA developments between April 2024 and February 2025, with one firearm allegedly used in at least seven of the incidents. No fatalities were reported, but at least one bullet pierced a resident’s window, according to court documents.

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All five defendants are charged in Manhattan Supreme Court with Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree and a total of 36 counts collectively, including attempted murder, attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors said one semi-automatic pistol and one revolver were recovered during the investigation.

"As alleged, these defendants conspired to arm themselves and unleash brazen violence across Harlem, including committing numerous shootings,” Bragg said. "Nearly all of the shootings were committed in or around NYCHA developments, putting countless lives at risk, including residents and bystanders."

The defendants are Jalen Canty, 19, who is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and conspiracy; Aiden Freeman, 19, charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon and conspiracy; Keywan Goode, 19, charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon and conspiracy; Adrian Maysonet, 20, charged with criminal possession of a weapon and conspiracy; and David Woolridge, 19, charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon and conspiracy.

According to prosecutors, the defendants were based in the Taft Houses in East Harlem and had rivals in several other NYCHA developments, including Grant Houses, Johnson Houses, Saint Nicholas Houses, Lehman Houses and King Towers. Authorities say the group coordinated shootings to assert their status and retaliate against perceived rivals.

Bragg said the defendants communicated through text messages and group chats to coordinate the purchase and exchange of firearms and posted videos of themselves with guns on social media. Prosecutors also say some defendants searched online for gun-related terms, including types of revolvers and high-capacity magazines.

The nine alleged shooting incidents occurred at various locations and times, including near West 125th Street, East 112th Street, West 115th Street, West 127th Street and Marcus Garvey Park. In multiple cases, prosecutors allege defendants crouched behind parked cars and fired toward buildings or groups of people in public courtyards and sidewalks.

"This kind of reckless and senseless violence has no place in our communities and those who engage in it will be brought to justice by our partners at the NYPD and our office’s prosecutors," Bragg said.

All charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This is a developing story and will be updated. For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.