Melinda Katz
Coverage of Melinda Katz in the Nexus archive.
- 22 gang members indicted for violence across Southeast Queens
22 gang members were indicted for 11 shootings, a stabbing, and other attacks in Southeast Queens between 2023 and the present. The defendants, linked to the Blitz Gang 4 and rival Floss Money Ballers, were involved in violent clashes, including a 2025 courthouse stabbing and a 2026 McDonald’s shooting involving a 15-year-old. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz reported that 15 individuals were charged with shooting-related offenses, with 11 arraigned and three remaining at large.
- Bloods affiliate NYC street gang started war sparked by murder of teen: DA
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the takedown of the Blood subset known as Blitz Gang 4, or BG4. The gang was linked to a war sparked by the murder of a teen.
- Guns gone: NYPD says it has seized more than 2,000 firearms from NYC streets this year
NYPD and partners have seized over 2,000 firearms from NYC streets in the first five months of 2026, targeting gang-related and trafficked weapons. The effort, involving district attorneys and federal agencies, has contributed to historic reductions in shootings and murders.
- Flushing killer gets 18 years to life in prison for fatally stabbing his victim more than 100 times during home invasion: DA
Yang Zhang was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for stabbing Yat Ming Wong over 100 times during a 2022 home invasion in Flushing. Zhang entered Wong's apartment through the balcony, attacked him with scissors, and fled after Wong's wife escaped unharmed. He also burglarized another home the day before.
- Grinning suspect cuffed after alleged fiery street takeover, drag race caught on camera
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Queens, New York, for alleged involvement in a reckless drag-racing street takeover involving over 100 vehicles. Asil Assaidi faces charges of reckless endangerment and rioting after a chaotic incident near gas stations that included fiery stunts and nearly caused collisions.
- EXCLUSIVE: NYC officials refuse ICE hold for illegal alien accused in arson that killed 4 and injured 7: DHS
A Mexican national accused of setting a New York City apartment fire that killed four and injured seven is being denied ICE detention due to NYC's sanctuary policies. DHS criticizes city officials for refusing to cooperate, arguing the suspect poses a public safety threat.
- Child among 4 dead as accused arsonist allegedly drank beer during chaos
Roman Amatitla, a 38-year-old New York City man, faces murder charges after allegedly setting a fire in a Queens apartment that killed four people, including a 3-year-old child. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the incident as an 'act of mass murder' with no known motive, noting Amatitla's random selection of the building.