Queens District Attorney Indicts Five Trinitarios Members
The defendants face charges related to a string of shootings and retaliation incidents in the Corona neighborhood.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Violence
Live Poll
Is stricter policing more effective than community programs for reducing gang violence in your area?
The Queens District Attorney has indicted five members of the Trinitarios gang following a series of violent incidents in Corona. The 25-count indictment alleges the group utilized e-scooters and mopeds to carry out shootings and retaliatory attacks in late August.
Why it matters
The case highlights a cycle of retaliatory violence involving youth gang members in New York City. Prosecutors are utilizing ballistics evidence to link recovered firearms to multiple shooting scenes, aiming to dismantle the criminal enterprise's operations.
The defendants are currently being held in jail at Rikers Island following the 25-count indictment. The 16-year-old suspect faces up to 25 years in prison, while Rafael Lopez and the Coloma brothers face potential life sentences if convicted.
The players
Rafael Lopez
He is a 26-year-old defendant who faces up to life in prison if convicted of the charges.
Trinitarios
This is a transnational gang with members accused of carrying out shootings and violent acts in the Corona area.
The details
Defendants allegedly used e-scooters and mopeds to conduct the attacks, which included a shooting on August 28 that caused a 13-year-old victim to suffer from collapsed lungs. Ballistics tests conducted on a 9 mm pistol recovered during a September 4 arrest linked the weapon to the August 28 violence.
Timeline
August 28, 2026: A 16-year-old allegedly shot two victims in Corona.
August 28, 2026: Suspects threw a brick through a window in retaliation.
August 29, 2026: A 14-year-old allegedly fired a shot into an apartment vestibule.
September 4, 2026: Police arrested the 16-year-old suspect in Corona.
October 22, 2026: The Queens District Attorney announced the indictment.
Legal Context
This case follows the investigative patterns established by the NYPD's Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau to link fragmented shooting incidents to organized gang activity. The prosecution reflects an ongoing effort to combat retaliatory violence within New York City jurisdictions.
The arrests follow active investigations by local precinct detective squads to reduce retaliatory violence in Corona. Residents may see a continued police presence in the area as authorities address the ongoing gang-related threats to public safety.
The takeaway
This case emphasizes the serious legal consequences for youth involvement in gang-related violence, including potential life sentences for older participants. Authorities continue to rely on advanced forensic ballistics to connect recovered weapons to active criminal investigations.
Further reading
For more on safety in the region, visit the New York City Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Queens Chronicle.
Live Poll
Is stricter policing more effective than community programs for reducing gang violence in your area?
