NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK — A quiet neighborhood in Malba, Queens turned into a scene of chaos early Sunday morning, November 23, when a group of drivers involved in an illegal car meet-up reportedly assaulted residents and set a vehicle on fire. The violence began after homeowners tried to stop the group from tearing through their streets and damaging private property.
Confrontation Turns Violent
The disturbance began around 12:30 a.m. near South Drive and 141st Street, when a group of roughly 40 vehicles swarmed the residential area. Witnesses say drivers performed donuts and sped over front lawns, leaving tire tracks and damage in their wake.
Blake Ferrer, one of the residents, confronted the drivers after one of them drove onto his property. "When I came out, I said, 'Bro, you gotta get the f*** off my property,' and that’s when it all started," Ferrer told reporters. He was soon surrounded and violently attacked by a group of at least a dozen individuals, leaving him with a broken nose and fractured ribs. His wife was also injured during the altercation.
Another neighbor, Larry Rusch, 59, attempted to block the intersection using one of his security company’s vehicles. While his efforts briefly caused the group to scatter, two individuals reportedly returned and set the parked vehicle on fire, possibly using fireworks, reigniting the chaos.
Political Response and Ongoing Investigation
Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, who represents the district, condemned the attack and released video of the burning vehicle, calling the incident a disgrace. She warned that residents may not remain calm in future incidents if the city fails to restore order.
A 41-year-old resident also reported that objects were thrown into his car when he attempted to intervene. So far, no arrests have been made, and the NYPD investigation is still ongoing.
Locals say the area has seen smaller car gatherings before, but never anything as violent or destructive as this recent incident.
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