Federal authorities have charged Faisil McCants, 18, of New York, in connection with an armed robbery and fatal shooting that occurred on August 27, 2025, in East Harlem. According to a complaint unsealed by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, McCants allegedly fired 15 rounds from a machine gun during his escape from a robbery near East 109th Street and Madison Avenue. The gunfire struck and killed a 69-year-old woman who was standing with her walker on the sidewalk.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated: “As alleged, after robbing a drug dealer at gunpoint, Faisil McCants fired a machine gun in the middle of the day on the busy streets of New York City, killing another person. The death of that wholly innocent bystander, a 69-year-old woman who was merely standing with her walker on the sidewalk in East Harlem, is as tragic as it is senseless. It is unacceptable. Because of the hard work of our partners at HSI and the NYPD and the prosecutors of this Office, McCants will now answer for his alleged crime. This tragic and senseless act shows again we must do all we can to get violent criminals off our streets.”
Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Field Office added: “As a result of this defendant’s allegedly ruthless and utterly reckless violence, an innocent victim was gunned down in broad daylight while simply going about her daily life. New Yorkers deserve better—full stop. HSI New York—together with our partners at the NYPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York—will not rest until the other individuals involved are captured and, like this defendant, face the full force of the criminal justice system for their accused, unacceptable crimes.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch commented: “Faisil McCants allegedly armed himself with a machine gun during a robbery and opened fire in broad daylight, killing a 69-year-old mother, grandmother, and beloved East Harlem community member. Robin Wright was an innocent bystander who lost her life to gun violence—and today, justice was served in her memory. Removing illegal firearms from our streets remains at the forefront of the NYPD’s public safety mission, and we will continue to ensure that those who carry them are held accountable. I am grateful to the NYPD investigators, HSI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their swift work to keep our streets safe.”
The complaint alleges that McCants and two accomplices robbed an individual identified as Individual-1 before fleeing north on Madison Avenue toward East 110th Street while carrying stolen backpacks containing marijuana. During his flight from law enforcement following this incident involving narcotics thefts—a persistent issue contributing to urban violence—McCants reportedly discharged his weapon toward Individual-1 but instead fatally wounded Robin Wright.
McCants faces one count under federal law for Hobbs Act robbery—which carries up to 20 years imprisonment—and one count related to use or possession of a machine gun during commission of a crime; this latter charge carries mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines starting at 30 years up to life imprisonment if convicted.
The investigation involved collaboration between multiple agencies including HSI Homeland Security Investigations, NYPD New York City Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives ATF, U.S Marshals Service U.S Marshals Service, as well as state parole officials.
Assistant U.S Attorneys Alexandra S Messiter & Kathryn Wheelock are prosecuting this case within SDNY’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit.
Authorities remind that these charges are accusations only; defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
