Nine Charged Over Series Of Gang Shootings

A federal grand jury has indicted several members of a Chicago-based gang over a series of shootings in Middle Tennessee. The charges include gun crimes, kidnapping, conspiracy to distribute drugs, and murder.

The 64-count indictment stems from several killings starting about two years ago. Nine people, including members of various groups within Chicago’s Vice Lords, are accused in a series of gang shootings and retaliations.

U.S. Attorney Ed Yarbrough says members were targeting rivals as well as infighting within the gang. And the indictment alleges several shootings into homes in Murfreesboro, one of which Yarbrough says killed an innocent person.

“It’s really violence for violence’ own sake in some instances, and in other cases it’s violence intended to perpetuate drug trafficking or other illegal activity.”

Yarbrough says the charges come at the federal level to obtain tougher punishments. But he cautions one sweep can’t wipe out a gang.

Of those charged, six have been arrested while three remain at large.

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The bulk of the crimes in the indictment occurred in the Murfreesboro area.

Murfreesboro Detective James Abbott helped spearhead the investigation. He says gang activity isn’t new to the area, but is intensifying.

Abbott says in part that’s because of the Internet, which makes it easier for criminals to network and spread.

“A lot of people, young people, they meet other people from other cities. They get to spread, they get to interact more now than they could twenty years ago.”

Abbott says another factor to the increasing gang activity is Murfreesboro’s growing population. As people move from other cities, he says potential criminals also come.