On a tragic day in April 2015, 22-year-old Michael Tenorio lost his life in the Cypress Hills neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The quiet afternoon of April 21st was shattered by gunfire near Sheridan and McKinley avenues. Tenorio was pursued down the street by an assailant who shot him multiple times in the legs. Even after Tenorio fell to the ground, the gunman continued to fire. Despite being rushed to Brookdale Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Tenorio’s death swiftly pointed towards gang-related violence. Law enforcement identified the shooter as Tyshawn Corbett, a member of the Elite Assassin Millas a subset of the Bloods street gang. Surveillance footage captured the chilling moments of the chase and the shooting, providing crucial evidence for investigators. The motive for the killing was believed to be in retaliation for the death of another EAM member that had occurred the previous month.
In the years following the murder, a significant law enforcement effort targeted the EAM gang. This culminated in the indictment of seven members and associates on a range of charges, including racketeering conspiracy, murder, and attempted murder. Tyshawn Corbett, known within the gang as a 'shooter,' was held accountable for Tenorio's death. He ultimately pleaded guilty to three firearm offenses involving murder or assault in aid of racketeering. In January 2024, a federal judge sentenced Corbett to 45 years in prison for his crimes, which also included the shooting and paralysis of another individual. The leader of the EAM gang, Quandel Smothers, was also convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison for his role in the gang's violent activities, which included the murder of Michael Tenorio.
