A Day in the Life of a Gang Member
May 15th, 2008 . by HSLEADERFrom PoliceMag.com, by Richard Valdemar
On a warm California fall evening, excited football fans streamed out of a High School stadium. Young people walked in small groups and gathered at street corners talking and laughing as they waited for an opening in the long lines of cars. They walked in the darkness and under the street lights unaware that they were in danger as they made their way home or to the local hamburger stand. The Compton football team celebrated another victory on its way to the CIF Championships. But in the warm fall darkness a blue Chevy Impala stalked the fans like a cold-blooded predatory shark.
Suddenly, a night of fun became a night of terror as multiple muzzle flashes lit the night from the interior of the blue Impala. Bang! Bang! Bang! “Crip!” Followed by: Bang! Bang! “Palm ‘n Oak!” echoed in the crowded streets. Streaking sparks marked the bullet strikes as they ricocheted off the streets and sidewalks. The crowd ran in panic in all directions from the sounds of the gun fire. Some victims fell wounded. But inside the blue Impala the occupants were laughing. They got off a few more rounds and careened away.
A Compton Police radio broadcast went out describing the suspect vehicle and its last known direction. But the suspects could only be described as several African American males, possibly from the Lynwood Palm and Oak Street Crips.
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