Pierce County prosecutors have charged a 20-year-old man in connection with a Tacoma gang dispute believed prompted by a YouTube rap video.
Prosecutors allege Tyreese R. Woods took part in a series of shootings in May and June.
Woods, who’s been in jail on other charges since June 25, was charged Thursday with three counts of first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and drive-by shooting.
He was arraigned on the charges and was ordered held on $250,000 bail.
Another man, Isaiah McNeal, was charged earlier this year in connection with one of the drive-by shootings and has been in custody since June 15 on those charges.
Prosecutors allege Woods and McNeal are members of the Knoccout Crips and have been engaged in a dispute with members of the Hilltop Crips.
Tacoma police have pinpointed 21 incidents they believe are connected to the rivalry between the two gangs.
They suspect the YouTube video, produced by the Hilltop Crips and found offensive by several Knoccout Crips, sparked the violence, charging documents state.
Woods was charged in a May 4 drive-by shooting that targeted a home in the 2100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Two people associated with the Hilltop Crips were inside the home at the time. Neither was hurt in the shooting.
One of the people later told another person he believed he was the target of the shooting because he had been one of the producers of the YouTube video, which mentioned Woods by name.
Investigators also say Woods and McNeal are the leading suspects in:
• A May 21 shooting of a rival gang member near a club on South Tacoma Way.
• A June 4 drive-by shooting in the 2100 block of South J Street.
• A roving gun battle June 6.
Woods was charged earlier this year with three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and obstructing police. He’s being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268 stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com
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