Gangland...Virginia Beach, Va.

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On Monday, Virginia Police began making arrests related to a mob fight which resulted in a fatal shooting in the Green Run section of the city. On April 28, 2010, Eric Satterwhite, 19, was killed in the mini-riot that took place outside a convenience store on South Independence Blvd. just across the street from Green Run High School.

So far, police have taken 11 suspected gang members into custody, charging them with conspiracy, participation in a criminal act for the benefit of a gang, participating in gang activity in a school zone and three counts of assault by mob.

Two more suspects are still at large.

Those arrested are:

- Joseph Alan Burress, 19
- Sherrod Ivory Gaskins, 18
- Edgardo Inpong Satsatin Jr., 19
- Jameal Karmone Payne, 19
- Christopher Wayne Alexander, 19
- Maurice Anthony Robinson Jr., 18
- Todd Deyontea Pryor, 18
- Trayvian Jamal Lewis-Hewlett, 18
- Wayne Aundre Moore Jr., 19
- Kahaleel Yoni Ford, 18
- A 16-year-old male (name withheld by police because of minor status)

Police are still searching for Kevin D. Ford Jr., 22, and Dwan M. Peel, 21, both of Virginia Beach. Ford is wanted for Satterwhite’s murder.

The gang-related murder was only the latest in a string of such incidents in a city becoming plagued with gang violence.

In 2007, the Virginia Beach Police Department held a public forum to educate the community on the city’s problem.

During the meeting, Ken Dimitry, head of criminal intelligence for the VBPD, told the crowd that in 2003, only 20 crimes within the city could be attributed to gang activity, but by 2006, that number had grown to 282.

The following is a short list of recent gang activity in Virginia Beach:

-In 2005, a fight between the Bloods and Crips gangs resulted in a shooting.

-In 2006, two juvenile gang members were charged with robbery and gang recruitment.

-In August 2009, rival gangs got into a shootout at the Magic Moments Ballroom on Virginia Beach Blvd. The ballroom was hosting a back-to-school party.

-In April 2009, a large methamphetamine operation was busted in the Sandbridge section of the city. According to the FBI, the drug ring was connected to the notorious Mexican Mafia.

Gangs known to be active in the city are the Bloods, Crips, the Latin Kings, and MS-13.

However, the growth in gang violence is not only limited to Virginia Beach, but is becoming a tremendous problem for all of Hampton Roads.

In 2009, Alex J. Turner, special agent in charge of the Norfolk FBI office, told the Virginian-Pilot that there are 116 gangs throughout the seven cities of Southeastern Virginia, with 6,700 members.

 

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