A Bloody West Coast Story

L.A.'s police fight back against crack-dealing street gangs

Call it the Good Friday rampage. At twilight on April 1, a brown Cadillac sedan glided up to the corner of Vernon and Raymond avenues in South Central Los Angeles. Words were exchanged between the young men in the car, members of a Crips street gang, and a 16-year-old who was hanging out on the sidewalk. Suddenly, the mobile "gangbangers" blasted the youth. A moment later, they turned their guns on a pedestrian across the street.

The Caddy then cruised two blocks down Raymond, where a small group of youngsters had gathered. Two gunmen stepped out of the car and opened...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!