Tree Top Piru graffiti
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| Founded | 1970s |
|---|---|
| Founding location | West Compton |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Ethnicity | Primarily African-American |
| Allies | West Side Piru Campanella Park Piru |
| Rivals | Fruit Town Piru |
| Notable members | DJ Quik YG |
The Tree Top Piru (also known as the Bompton Tree Top Piru) are a "set" of the Piru gang alliance, which is itself a part of the larger Bloods gang alliance. The gang gained notability for its connection to rappers YG 400 and DJ Quik. [1] The gang started in Compton, California in the 1970s, but has since spread to other parts of the United States.[2]
The Tree Top Piru formed in Compton, California in the 1970s.[3] The gang was named after the various streets in their territory which are named after trees including Acacia Street, Poplar Street, and Maple Street.
Eventually, the Tree Top Piru would spread to other parts of the United States, including Tennessee,[4] Texas[5] and Maryland.[6]
In 2007, a high-ranking female member of the Tree Top Piru in Baltimore named Michelle Hebron killed David Leonard Moore, who Hebron believed to be a rival gang member. After killing Moore, Hebron wrote a poem, which was used as evidence in her trial:[7]
"I guess just shot a nigga in the head cause he wear blue but claim red. Plus I just wanted the satisfaction of seeing a nigga dead."
Hebron was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder and racketeering.[8]
In January 2017, a Tree Top Piru member in Houston named Javan Oxavia Williams shot dead Charlie Bennett Jr., who Williams had an argument with. Williams committed a second murder in February 2017, when he killed Tonius Wayne Frank and ransacked Frank's apartment. Williams was sentenced to life in prison for the two murders.[5]
TTP spread throughout the country
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Organized crime groups in Los Angeles
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| African-American |
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| Deputy gangs |
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| East and Southeast Asian |
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| European-American |
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| Hispanic-American |
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| Outlaw motorcycle gangs |
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| Polynesian-American |
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| West Asian |
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| Events |
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