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As youth gang violence resurfaced in many major cities in 1972 after a notable decline the previous 7 years, Detroit was introduced to a new more violent breed of youthful offender. Detroit was home to no fewer than a half dozen criminally inclined bands of which the Black Killers were among the most notorious. Under the guidance of Sherm and Ced Tooks, Donnie King and Jeff Dye, the killers ran roughshod over an area bordering Shoemaker "north," Mack "south," Conner "east" and Cadillac "west." Constructed along the lines of Chicago's notorious Blackstone Rangers "the early '60s version," the killers targeted businesses and individual citizens during their frequent robbery sprees "Notorious drug lord Johnny Curry was a graduate of the BKs. Whereas money was a primary focus, protection of their often sketchy terrain from a growing list of enemies often ended in bloody confrontations. In addition to the aforementioned crimes, the Black killers were often gathered up whenever a violent crime was committed within their territory. An example of the crimes BK members were accused of committing was detailed in a report presented to then Detroit Police Cheif Phillip Tannian in August 1976. Fourteen BK members were arrested for armed robbery in a 30 day span and three others were charged with rape. Their primary rival was the cities largest black gang the Errol Flynns. . |
