South Los Angeles is experiencing a rapid rise in violent after a 12-year decline. According to reports by the Los Angeles Times, 12 people were shot in South L.A. during a weekend filled with gang violence.
The violence appeared to be in retaliation over the death of a 27-year-old man known as Vel Dog, which occurred on July 17. On last Friday, a gang member was shot in the early morning hours near Slauson Avenue. The following day, Anthony Cudger, 47, was shot and killed near Hoover Street after an argument broke out at a gang member’s funeral a few miles away. Reportedly, the Main Street Crips believe that some of the Hoover Crips were in violation.
About 30 minutes later, another man in his 40s was shot while in his car and drove himself to the hospital. He would not speak to police to give insight on the shooter. A few hours later, a man was shot in the stomach near Hyde Park a few miles away. Shortly thereafter, three people were shot at by a man who got out his car and opened fire.
Police believe that gangs in L.A. are behind the crimes. The incident made its way to social media as the hashtag #100days100nights soon spread on Instagram and Twitter. Police think the gangs are planning to kill or shoot 100 people in 100 nights in response to the death of the gang member who was shot in early July.
The hashtag #prayforLA was also shared and used frequently on social media. A post on Instagram suggested that it was unsafe for Black males between the ages of 16-40 to be on the streets.
A vigil was held near Hawthorne Municipal Airport on Monday to call for an end to gang violence.
