Temple Street (gang) explained

Varrio Temple Street
Founded:1920s
Founders:-->
Founding Location:Los Angeles, California, United States
Years Active:1920s–present
Territory:Central Los Angeles
Ethnicity:Hispanic (predominantly Mexican American) and Filipino American
Activities:Gang violence, murder, drug trafficking, theft
Allies:Sureños, Satanas
Rivals:Norteños, 18th Street gang

The Temple Street gang also known as "TST" is a street gang in the downtown Los Angeles area and was founded by Filipino and Mexican youths in the 1920s and 1930s.[1] The gang is involved in murders, assaults, burglaries, drug trafficking.[2] Their gang colors are blue and black.

Rampart scandal

Rafael Pérez framed four members of the Temple Street gang as being associated with the murder of Mexican Mafia member Miguel "Lizard" Malfavon. The incident took place at a McDonald's on Alvarado Street, where four supposed members all planned to kill Malfavon while he tried to collect "taxes" from the gang. Pérez found a material witness who had blood on her dress, and she named four gang members from Temple Street. He repeatedly changed the name of the main killer and ended up framing Anthony "Stymie" Adams as the one who fatally shot Malfavon in the head with a rifle in the neighboring apartment.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lam. Kevin D.. Youth Gangs, Racism, and Schooling. September 2015. 9781137475596. 2021-12-05. 2024-04-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20240429181542/https://books.google.com/books?id=mYSkCgAAQBAJ&dq=temple+street+&pg=PT121#v=onepage&q=temple%20street&f=false. live.
  2. Book: Randall G. Shelden, Sharon K. Tracy, William B. Brown. Youth Gangs in American Society. 59.
  3. Rappleye C (2000). Rampart runneth over: new allegations hound Rafael Perez. LA Weekly, 2000-10-13. Read 2011-02-14.