Reputed teen gangbanger drops illegal gun during wild brawl at Long Island mall in shocking video
Teen Gang Member Drops Gun During Brawl at Long Island Mall
A shocking video captured the moment when an illegal 9mm handgun fell out of the pocket of a reputed teen gang member during a chaotic brawl with a rival crew at the Smith Haven Mall in Long Island. The incident, which took place on November 29, involved Tavion “Tay-Tay” Elting, an 18-year-old alleged member of the Mak Balla Family gang.
In the video released by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, Elting can be seen scuffling in the mall’s food court when the gun slips out of his pocket and onto the floor. An alert bystander quickly kicked the weapon away, preventing it from being retrieved by Elting’s companion who attempted to do so. The gun was later recovered by the police.
Elting is now facing robbery, gun possession, and multiple other charges as part of a 168-count indictment unsealed by prosecutors. The indictment, which names 22 reputed members of the MBF gang, follows a four-year investigation covering 38 separate incidents, including shootings, armed robberies, and murder and gun conspiracy.
According to prosecutors, a total of 22 illegal guns were seized during the operations targeting the gang members. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina condemned the gang’s actions, stating that the Mark Balla Family had been involved in spreading violence and narcotics in Suffolk County for years.
Elting, also known as “Tay Tay” and “T-Dot,” hails from East Patchogue and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for first-degree robbery. He was ordered to be held on $40,000 cash bail or a bond of up to $4 million.
On the same day the indictment against Elting was unsealed, the Suffolk County DA announced another indictment charging six reputed members of the 9 Trey Bloods gang with conspiracy, drug, gun, and assault charges. Among those arrested was Joseph Baker, who had recently been released from prison early by state officials.
