43 NYC gang members nabbed in fatal feud

Police investigating three murders arrested 43 feuding gang members Thursday based on evidence collected from monitoring what the Brooklyn gang members were saying about the cases on Twitter and Facebook, authorities said.

The 25 accused members of the Wave Gang and 18 accused members of rival Hoodstarz have been terrorizing streets in Brownsville with shootouts that led to the killing of three people and wounding of several others, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said.

The gang members, ages 15 to 21, bragged about the shootings on the social media sites Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, he said.

"By linking their postings and boastings to active cases and other crimes, these officers were able to build their case," Kelly said.

Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said authorities would next be going after gangs in other Brooklyn neighborhoods. "We know who you are. We know how you operate," he said.

"Make no mistake about it. We're coming after you next," Hynes said.

The feud that started in August between Wave Gang and Hoodstarz resulted in the death of an innocent bystander, authorities said. Those injured included a 9-year-old boy and his father.

The gang members were young -- the average age was 17 -- and fought for control of an area with a 1-mile radius in Brownsville, unloading bullets from stolen guns in wild shootouts, authorities said.

Wave Gang members often robbed 13- and 14-year-olds by threatening to steal their bikes and electronics to intimidate them into joining their gangs, Hynes said.

The 43 gang members were indicted Thursday on charges including murder, assault, reckless endangerment, robbery and weapon possession. Potential sentences range from a year to life in prison.

The crimes date back to 2010 and continued as late as this month.

Arraignments are being held this week. Some defendants are still at large.

"It's our hope," Hynes said, "that prosecution will restore a sense of community."