 Tree Top Piru graffiti | |
| Founded | 1970sWest side of Compton but active in Fort Worth, Houston, St. Louis, Newark, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, and Birmingham |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Ethnicity | Primarily African-American |
| Allies | West Side Piru Campanella Park Piru, Fruit Town Pirus |
| Rivals | Tortilla Flats, Most ComptonCrips |
| Notable members | DJ Quik YG |
TheTree Top Piru (also known as theBompton Tree Top Piru) are a "set" of thePiru gang alliance, which is itself a part of the largerBloods gang alliance. The gang gained notability for its connection to rappers YG 400 and DJ Quik.[1] The gang started inCompton, California in the 1970s, but has since spread to other parts of the United States.[2]
The Tree Top Piru formed inCompton, California in the 1970s.[3] The gang was named after the various streets in their territory which are named after trees including Acacia Avenue, Poplar Street, Maple Street, Spruce Street, Cedar Street, and Elm Street.
Eventually, the Tree Top Piru would spread to other parts of the United States, includingTennessee,[4]Texas[5] andMaryland.[6]
In 2007, a high-ranking female member of the Tree Top Piru inBaltimore 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 andracketeering.[8]
In January 2017, a Tree Top Piru member inHouston 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]
In August 2024,Texas Department of Public Safety announced the apprehension of Dewarren Donta Knowles, a Tree Top Piru member and fugitive wanted forsex offenses against a child.[9]
TTP spread throughout the country
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