Formation

The Tree Top Piru formed in Compton, California in the 1970s.^[3] The gang was named after the various streets in their territory which are named after trees including Acacia Street, Poplar Street, and Maple Street.

Eventually, the Tree Top Piru would spread to other parts of the United States, including Tennessee,^[4] Texas^[5] and Maryland.^[6]

Tree Top Piru in Baltimore

In 2007, a high-ranking female member of the Tree Top Piru in Baltimore named Michelle Hebron killed David Leonard Moore, who Hebron believed to be a rival gang member. After killing Moore, Hebron wrote a poem, which was used as evidence in her trial:^[7]

"I guess just shot a nigga in the head cause he wear blue but claim red. Plus I just wanted the satisfaction of seeing a nigga dead."

Hebron was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder and racketeering.^[8]

Tree Top Piru in Texas

In January 2017, a Tree Top Piru member in Houston named Javan Oxavia Williams shot dead Charlie Bennett Jr., who Williams had an argument with. Williams committed a second murder in February 2017, when he killed Tonius Wayne Frank and ransacked Frank's apartment. Williams was sentenced to life in prison for the two murders.^[5]