Gang Member Sentenced For Shooting Teen In Sheepshead Bay Last Summer

Yesterday, a Brooklyn gang member was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting a teenager in Sheepshead Bay last summer near a playground.

Last July, the 16-year-old victim was standing with friends outside on Avenue X at Brown Street, when Joseph Ackwood, 21, approached on a bicycle and pulled out a .40 caliber firearm from his waistband, chased the victim into the street and fired multiple times, according to investigators.

Ackwood, a member of the Young Stackers street gang, was apprehended a month later. He was released on $25,000 bail following his August arrest. But then, in March 2017, a Brooklyn judge revoked Ackwood’s bail because of red flags raised by a Facebook post — Ackwood allegedly posted two rat emoji’s posted to the page of a potential witness.

Ackwood was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision following his guilty plea to second-degree attempted murder.

“This callous and senseless shooting at a time when children were playing is infuriating,” said Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “We will continue to vigorously prosecute all instances of gun violence in Brooklyn and seek lengthy prison terms against anyone who fires a weapon on our streets.”