Alleged Gangbanger Drops Gun During Food Court Brawl [WATCH]

An 18-year-old alleged gang member is facing serious charges after a firearm fell from his clothing during a violent confrontation inside a Long Island shopping mall.

The incident, captured on surveillance video, unfolded in the food court at Smith Haven Mall on November 29 and is now part of a broader gang-related indictment unsealed this week by Suffolk County prosecutors.

Tavion Elting, who prosecutors say goes by the street names “Tay-Tay” and “T-Dot,” was seen in the footage involved in a physical altercation with rival individuals when a 9mm handgun slipped from his clothing and hit the mall floor.

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

A bystander quickly kicked the firearm away before it could be retrieved.

NEW: Gun flies out of Astronaut gang member’s pocket during wild Long Island mall brawl with rival crew

Tavion “Tay-Tay” Elting, 18, was caught on video brawling in the Smith Haven Mall food court

His illegal gun fell out and was kicked away by a bystander

Elting is part of a… pic.twitter.com/OfUdyI9d0M

— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) May 2, 2025

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Prosecutors said Elting’s associate attempted to recover the weapon, but it was ultimately secured by responding law enforcement officers.

Elting, a resident of East Patchogue, is among 22 individuals charged in a sweeping 168-count indictment targeting members of the Mak Balla Family (MBF), a known street gang alleged to be responsible for a series of violent crimes across Suffolk County.

The indictment follows a four-year joint investigation by law enforcement and covers 38 separate criminal incidents, including 17 shootings, three armed robberies, and other charges connected to drug trafficking and gun conspiracy.

“Members and associates of the Mak Balla Family spent years spreading violence and narcotics, all to further their gang’s status while wreaking havoc in Suffolk County,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said in a statement announcing the charges.

Among the charges against Elting are first-degree robbery, illegal weapons possession, and other gang-related offenses.

If convicted on the top charge, he faces up to 25 years in prison.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Elting was ordered held on $40,000 cash bail or a bond of up to $4 million.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney emphasized the scale of the investigation during a press briefing following the unsealing of the indictment.

Prosecutors said 22 illegal firearms were recovered during the course of the investigation tied to MBF members.

The Mak Balla Family is believed to be a regional subset of a larger, violent gang network that has operated in New York and surrounding areas.

The group is allegedly involved in various criminal enterprises, including drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and coordinated attacks against rival gangs.

The charges against Elting and others in the MBF indictment were announced the same day that the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office revealed a second indictment involving the 9 Trey Bloods.

That case includes charges of conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms violations, and assault against six alleged members of the 9 Trey set.

Among the individuals named was Joseph Baker, who had recently been released early from prison by state officials.

Law enforcement officials say the two indictments represent a significant step forward in efforts to dismantle violent gang operations across Long Island.

The Suffolk County DA’s Office has not ruled out further arrests as part of its ongoing investigations into organized street crime in the region.

Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.