Prosecutors have declined to file charges against prominent South Los Angeles anti-gang worker Clifford “Skipp” Townsend, who was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. However, his son, Kody Townsend, now faces a murder charge in connection with the August slaying of an employee of Townsend’s violence prevention group.
Clifford Townsend, 62, the executive director of 2nd Call, was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI on Wednesday. By Friday afternoon, prosecutors decided against filing a criminal complaint. His attorney, Tiffiny Blacknell, expressed relief that charges were not filed but remained perplexed by the arrest itself. "Skipp Townsend has been a leader in violence prevention for more than 20 years and is known for his work in Los Angeles and across the nation," Blacknell stated, adding that the motivation behind the arrest remains unclear.
Authorities allege that Kody Townsend, 19, used an assault rifle to fatally shoot Reginald Foreman, 51, an employee of 2nd Call, in August. The district attorney's office stated that both men were members of rival factions of the Crips street gang, describing the killing as "gang motivated." Kody Townsend had not been arrested as of Friday afternoon but faces one count of murder. Jeremiah Abdelhameed, 25, who was arrested alongside Clifford Townsend, has been charged as an accessory after the fact in Foreman's death.
Detectives from the LAPD's Robbery Homicide Division and federal agents seized several computers from 2nd Call's offices on Wednesday. Townsend, a former gang member, has led the 2nd Call group since its founding in 2006, working to mediate gang disputes and offer alternatives to violence. His arrest drew expressions of shock from colleagues, with some suggesting he was unfairly targeted by law enforcement due to the nature of his work.
Sean Garcia-Leys, executive director of the Peace & Justice Law Center, suggested that the arrest and subsequent dismissal of charges against Townsend could damage the LAPD's ability to collaborate with community members who actively work to reduce gang violence. He also voiced concern that such actions could discourage individuals with relevant lived experience from engaging in intervention work.
Foreman was fatally shot while working with a 2nd Call team to clean a street in Hyde Park. Witnesses described the shooter as a youth who approached Foreman and another team member, Bennett, and began firing. Foreman, known as "Big Ant" or "BA," was reportedly shot multiple times at close range. Some interventionists believe the killing may be linked to an ongoing conflict between two neighboring gangs.
