A man has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly firing a machine gun in broad daylight on a Bronx street last month. David Maldonado, 53, of New York, was arrested following the incident and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Stein. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff.
According to authorities, Maldonado is accused of using a semi-automatic handgun equipped with an illegal machine gun conversion device to fire 12 rounds at approximately 4:00 p.m. on November 14, 2025, near East 170th Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx. Two shots reportedly struck a nearby vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, “As alleged, David Maldonado used a machine gun conversion device to spray bullets on a Bronx street. New Yorkers want brazen, gun toting criminals off our streets and we hear them. Thanks to the prompt response of our law enforcement partners, Maldonado will now have to answer for his alleged crimes.”
Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New York Field Office said, “The ATF/NYPD Crime Gun Enforcement Team is committed to keeping illegal machine guns out of the hands of criminals and away from our communities. We thank the New York City Police Department and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their continued partnership in keeping the public safe.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch commented, “David Maldonado allegedly put New Yorkers at serious risk when he fired a fully automatic ghost gun in broad daylight on a public street, while NYPD detectives were nearby. Our detectives did exactly what they do best—they ran toward the danger, moved quickly to stop the threat, and our streets are safer because of their actions. I thank the NYPD investigators, our partners at the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their continued work to hold violent offenders accountable.”
Authorities said that NYPD detectives who were close by responded quickly after hearing gunshots and apprehended Maldonado at the scene with an unserialized Polymer 80 firearm—commonly referred to as a “ghost gun”—and a magazine containing ammunition.
Maldonado faces one count each of possession of ammunition after felony conviction—which carries up to 15 years in prison—and possession of a machine gun—which carries up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Sentencing will be determined by the judge.
The investigation was conducted by members of both local police and federal agencies underlining ongoing efforts between organizations such as the ATF and the NYPD aimed at curbing illegal firearms activity across New York City.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon D. Harper is prosecuting this case as part of the Violent Organizations & Crime Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
All charges are allegations at this stage; Maldonado is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
