By Shawn Henry 
A normally quiet corner of Queens erupted into chaos early Sunday when a large group tied to an illegal street takeover descended on the Malba neighborhood, leaving one resident badly injured and a security vehicle in flames. The gathering involved roughly 100 people and multiple cars performing dangerous stunts, quickly overwhelming the calm, upscale community near Whitestone.
According to residents, several vehicles stopped outside a local home, drawing groups of participants and onlookers onto private lawns. When the homeowner attempted to ask the crowd to leave, he was surrounded and attacked by at least five to ten people. The assault left him with a fractured shoulder, broken ribs and injuries to his face. His arm remained in a sling as he recounted how quickly the situation escalated.
Neighbors described the incident as unlike anything the community has ever faced. They said the crowd arrived within minutes, filling streets with noise and smoke while people wandered onto properties. One resident expressed shock over the violence, noting that his friend — the injured homeowner — suffered severe injuries simply for trying to defend his property.
@nypost A rowdy mob beat a Queens couple and set a car ablaze when the residents and other locals tried to stop a wild car meet-up in their neighborhood early Sunday, according to the victims and video. Link in bio for more.
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Witnesses reported that some participants carried flags and shouted about coming from the Bronx, fueling concerns about outsiders turning quiet neighborhoods into sites for illegal gatherings. Community leaders echoed the outrage, saying the takeover was both dangerous and deeply disruptive.
During the incident, a neighborhood security guard’s car was reportedly taken and set on fire, adding to the severity of the destruction. Flames from the burning vehicle lit up the street as residents looked on, unable to intervene safely.
The injured homeowner voiced frustration with the police response time, stating that the situation deteriorated long before officers arrived. By Monday, NYPD detectives were back in the area, canvassing for video and witness statements in hopes of identifying those involved.
The violent takeover has left Malba residents demanding stronger enforcement and questioning how such a large gathering was able to materialize so quickly in their community. As investigators continue their work, neighbors say they are still shaken by the intensity of the incident and are calling for measures to prevent anything similar from happening again.