Bridgeport “East End” Gang Member Sentenced For Gang-Related Crimes

Sunday, February 16, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

NEW HAVEN, CT.- On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Keishawn Donald, 23, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Victor A. Bolden to 270 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release for his conviction of Conspiracy to Engage in Racketeering Activity.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Marc H. Silverman and evidence presented at trial, in 2019, the FBI, ATF, DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bridgeport Police Department began an investigation into multiple Bridgeport-based street gangs whose members are involved in illicit narcotics trafficking, murder, and other acts of violence. Donald was identified as a member of the “East End Gang,” which began as a local street gang based in the East End of Bridgeport, Connecticut, but currently has members and associates who are either jailed or residing throughout Bridgeport and surrounding communities.

Gang Activity Uncovered Throughout The City Of Bridgeport

     The East End gang has been aligned with other groups, including the “PT Barnum Gang,” the “East Side Gang,” and the “150 Gang,” which is a gang based in the West Side of Bridgeport. These gangs were aligned against rival organizations in Bridgeport, including the “Original North End” and the “Greene Homes Boyz,” based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End.

     Due to the level of gun violence plaguing Bridgeport, the investigation began shortly before East End members shot and killed Myreke Kenion and shot and attempted to kill D’Andre Brown, both members, and associates of the Greene Homes Boyz and Original North End, on January 26, 2020.

     The next day, in retaliation for these shootings, Greene Homes Boyz and Original North End members attempted to kill East End gang members and associates during a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a state courthouse on Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport that resulted in four individuals being shot while seated inside a vehicle.

     Donald and other East End members distributed large quantities of heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, and Percocet pills, utilized and shared firearms, and committed at least six murders and other acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals throughout the operation. East End gang members celebrated their criminal acts on social media applications such as Facebook and YouTube and, committed acts of intimidation, and made threats to deter potential witnesses from coming forward to protect gang members and associates from being criminally prosecuted.

     On January 30, 2018, Donald shot and killed Eric Heard, also known as “Fetti.” a member and associate of the Greene Homes Boyz. On October 17, 2019, Donald and others attempted to kill Joshua Gilbert, a member and associate of the Original North End gang, in a drive-by shooting.

     On December 5, 2023, following a month-long trial, a federal jury found Donald and three associates guilty of conspiring to engage in a pattern of gang-related racketeering activity. Donald has been detained since October 17, 2019, when he was arrested on state charges after being found with a firearm shortly after the attempted murder of Joshua Gilbert. 

     Around 47 members and associates of the East End, Original North End, and Greene Homes Boyz gangs have been convicted of federal charges stemming from this investigation, which has resulted in law enforcement solving eight murders and twenty attempted murders.