Gang initiation: Truth or Fiction???

[Ed Lim]

Hi all,

I recently heard a story, how much of which I don't know is true, about an urban gang initiation that is increasingly common in the suburbs of major U.S cities like L.A. and Chicago. It involves the candidate riding a bicycle, usually stolen, on heavily traveled roads at dusk. If a driver beeps at the rider, the rider must catch up to the car at the next intersection and POP POP POP!

A similar story was told:
A police officer investigated a van which was stopped at an intersection, that had not proceeded after the light had changed to green several times. The officer discovered three teens, two of whom had been shot to death, the driver once in the chest, a front passenger in the head, and the rear seat passenger severly injured in the buttocks and the upper back of the thigh. Investigators were puzzled at the latter victim's injuries. It was further revealed, by bullet holes in the rear side window and an eyewitness further up the road who said that the occupants of the van had been taunting and "mooning" a cyclist in traffic.

Anyone familiar with this story, or is it just an urban legend? My driver's ed teacher always told us to share the road with cyclists, give them plenty of room and not to distract or beep at them riding on the side of the road. Is this the reason?

[CREWZIN]

I've heard almost the same story years ago but didn't involve a bicyclist, just a car. The gang member being initiated would go out at dusk or at night without his lights on and the first car that passes that would flash him to try and say that his lights were off would be targeted.

[bobs turbo pt]

i have heard this one also "that would flash him to try and say that his lights were off would be targeted".

[prettybluewoody]

I've been hearing variations of this for years --- I'd have to say it pure urban legend!

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by prettybluewoody

I've been hearing variations of this for years --- I'd have to say it pure urban legend!

Your right!

snopes.com: Flash Headlights Gang Initiation


Couldn't find anything on bicycle killings.

[StoneWhitePT2]

I dont know if its true or not, But it is possible, I wouldnt think otherwise....