A Bronx gang member has been charged with the murder of 18-year-old rapper Jayquan McKenley in a drive-by shooting in Brooklyn in 2022, according to prosecutors.
On December 19, Edward Y. Kim, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, William S. Walker, special agent in charge of the New York field office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Jessica Tisch, NYPD police commissioner, announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Paul Johnson, a/k/a “PJ Glizzy,” with racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and a firearms offense.
According to them, the charges stem from Johnson’s membership in the “Original Goonz,” or “OGz,” a street gang based in Bronx. On February 6, 2022, Johnson allegedly shot and killed Jayquan McKenley, an 18-year-old drill music rapper, outside a recording studio in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
They said Johnson, who was in NYC Department of Correction (DOC) custody, was transferred to federal custody earlier on December 19 and made his first appearance in federal court in Manhattan. They also stated that the case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.
In the context of the announcement, Kim stated that Jayquan McKenley’s death was senseless. Paul Johnson allegedly murdered him as part of a gang feud. We hope that today’s charges provide some comfort to McKenley’s family and demonstrate that this office and our law enforcement partners will never stop investigating those who commit violence on our streets.”
Walker, for his part, stated that “Paul Johnson’s alleged ruthless murder of Jayquan McKenley sent shockwaves through our Brooklyn neighborhoods and shed light on the level of senseless violence perpetrated by street gangs in New York City.”
The Violent Gang Task Force of HSI New York worked tirelessly and determinedly to bring today’s indictment. Every day, the streets become safer thanks to the dedication of New York’s local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who collaborate to bring justice to victims of violent crime.”
Johnson was a member of the “Original Goonz,” or “OGz” street gang, based in The Bronx, according to allegations in the indictment, unsealed on Dec. 19 in Manhattan federal court, other court documents, and statements made during court proceedings, from at least 2019 to and including December 2024.
Members of the OGz engaged in narcotics trafficking and other acts of violence, including murder, to fund the gang, protect its territory, and raise its profile.
Prosecutors allege that on February 6, 2022, Johnson and others murdered McKenley in a drive-by shooting in Brooklyn, when McKenley was 18 years old. According to reports, after McKenley, aka Chii Wvttz, was killed, New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke out about the impact of drill rap on crime in the city and called on social media companies to ban drill music.
Johnson, 23, of The Bronx, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum term of life in prison or death; one count of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison; and one count of use, carrying, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in the case are set by Congress and are provided solely for informational purposes. The judge will determine the defendant’s sentence.
Kim commended HSI and the NYPD for their outstanding investigative work. The case is being handled by the Violent and Organized Crime Unit of the Southern District of New York prosecutor’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick R. Moroney is leading the prosecution.
Johnson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
