The Byrd Gang also known as the Piff Gang or “M3”, is a criminal organization located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Detectives with New Orleans Police Department's Multi-Agency Gang unit previously described the Byrd Gang as "one of the most murderous gangs in town." The gang has a long history of violence which has made them gain notoriety among other gangs in the city.
| Founding location | Central City, New Orleans |
|---|---|
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Territory | Central City, New Orleans |
| Ethnicity | Primarily African American |
| Membership (est.) | 30-50 |
| Leader(s) | Tokey Hefner |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, Murder, Theft and Kidnapping |
| Allies | 39ers, BTY, AHM, Gerttown Hounds. Fischer Projects, 3NG |
| Rivals | Ghost Gang Goonie Gang, Young Melph Mafia St Bernard Projects |
History
editThe Byrd Gang originated from the former C.J. Peete public housing development, known as Magnolia Projects, an infamous housing project in Central City. The gang has feuded with the 3-N-G gang for years, clashing with them during the 2009 Mardi Gras parade where seven people were shot, including a baby. The shooting made national headlines in the news and brought the gang to the attention of the FBI.[1][2][3] In 2017, members of the gang were involved in a violent shootout on Magazine Street in broad daylight that left two men wounded.[4] In November 2020, 6 members of the Byrd Gang were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder for fatally shooting a woman from Grass Valley, California after they attempted to purchase 30 pounds of marijuana from her with counterfeit bills and then attempted to flee. The woman and another person began to chase the Byrd Gang members. One of the members then pulled out his pistol and shot the woman in the head. [5] Later in April 2019, 2 members were arrested for retaliation to the injustice murder of Torrence Allen.[citation needed]
Indictments
editIn March 2018, three members of the Byrd Gang were indicted by a grand jury, charged with multiple counts of distributing heroin.[6][7][8]
In August 2021, several members of the gang were indicted by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana under charges of murder, racketeering, drug trafficking and RICO as well as other associated crimes. [9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Dispute between rival groups led to the Carnival Day shootings, police say". 7 April 2009.
- ^ Dodd, Vikram (25 February 2009). "Seven people shot in Mardi Gras gun rampage in New Orleans". the Guardian.
- ^ "Seven Shot Along Mardi Gras Parade Route in New Orleans". Fox News. 25 February 2009.
- ^ "'Murderous' Byrd Gang connected to Magazine Street shootout: NOPD". September 2017.
- ^ Wyer, Stephen (13 July 2021). "Co-defendant in Olsen murder case is rearrested, allegedly violated terms of release". www.theunion.com. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
- ^ "3 'Byrd Gang' members indicted on heroin distribution charges". 2 March 2018.
- ^ Sledge, Matt (2 March 2018). "Prosecutors target alleged Central City 'Byrd Gang' members in drug indictment".
- ^ Staff, FOX8Live.com (3 March 2018). "NOPD: 3 gang members indicted in 'Central City heroin network'".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Second Superseding Indictment Charges Members and Associates of The Byrd Gang with Committing Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Rico And Drug Trafficking, and Other Serious Federal Crimes". www.justice.gov. 2021-08-24. Retrieved 2022-11-20.