Gangs of Charlotte

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that there are gangs in Charlotte, but you may not know much about them.

One made headlines yesterday when federal authorities charged 37 suspected MS-13 gang members in the Charlotte area with racketeering and other charges in connection with a series of assaults and killings.

Here’s a look at some of the most prominent gangs in Charlotte in recent history.

MS-13

– Composed mainly of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador.

– Was formed in Los Angeles and now operates through much of the country. Its name comes from “Mara Salvatrucha,” a combination of several slang terms for gang.

– The 37 people charged Tuesday were reportedly “involved with murders, drug deals, assaults and robberies,” as well as obstruction of justice.

United Blood Nation

– UBN is the East Coast arm of the older and better-known Bloods, which started in California.

– UBN was founded in 1993 by two inmates in New York and spread south through the prison system, and the drug and gun trade.

– Six suspected United Blood Nation members were charged with the October 2014 killing of Lake Wylie couple Doug and Debbie London.

The Londons were reportedly shot dead so they would keep quiet about UBN members attempting to rob Doug’s store earlier that year.

– UBN gang members were also charged with the August 2013 murder of Kwamne Clyburn, who had boasted about being a member of a gang and posted photographs of himself making apparent gang signs on Facebook.

He was found tied up in Pressley Road Neighborhood Park. He was shot seven times.

Hidden Valley Kings

– The Hidden Valley Kings reportedly formed 25 years ago in the Hidden Valley neighborhood northwest of uptown.

– It set up a drug trade and controlled the community with intimidation and violence.

– In 2013, the gang was put under a temporary injunction that banned members from gathering in just about every way imaginable. After 11 months, violent crime had fallen in Hidden Valley by 21 percent.

Outlaw

– Five people were murdered at the clubhouse of the Outlaw motorcycle gang in northeast Mecklenburg County on July 4, 1979. It was Charlotte’s worst mass killing.

– Four gang members and a friend were killed, and witnesses disappeared or refused to talk. The July 4, 1979, massacre remains unsolved.

Photos: Jeff Siner and Davie Hinshaw, Charlotte Observer

This story was originally published May 21, 2015 at 1:32 AM with the headline "Gangs of Charlotte."