Fort Greene Gang Member Sentenced in Applebee’s Shooting

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN – A member of the Fort Greene “900” crew was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a 2015 shooting outside a Downtown Applebee’s that left an 18-year old wounded and a 16-year old dead, announced Attorney General Eric Gonzalez.

Convicted of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree attempted assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury trial, Tyshawn Simon-Roberson, 18, was only 15 years old when he fired the shots that would land him in jail.

According to trial testimony, the shooting occurred after members of Fort Greene’s “900” crew confronted members of the East New York “4 to 5” crew outside the Flatbush Applebee’s on October 26, 2015. It was around 6:00 pm when Simon-Roberson pulled out a gun and fired twice, striking an 18-year old man in the ankle.

As the “900” crew fled the scene, pursued by “4 to 5” associates, co-defendant Malik Peters fired a weapon as well, killing 16-year old Armani Hankins. Peters was found guilty of the same charges as Simon-Roberson, and will be sentenced later this month.

In a statement, District Attorney Gonzalez said he will not tolerate gun battles like this one in the streets of Brooklyn. “This defendant opened fire in a bustling neighborhood, not far from a hospital and a college campus, wounding a young man. With today’s sentence, he has been held responsible for his brazen and lawless actions,” said Gonzalez.

Politicians responded to the 2015 shooting with calls for anti-gun violence programs and funding. Borough President Eric Adams and Councilmember Laurie Cumbo urged collaboration between state, city and community groups.