DEKALB COUNTY -- They call themselves the Hate Committee. Police say the enforcement arm of the Gangster Disciples gang had one single purpose: violence as intimidation. It led to what authorities called a "reign of terror" for three months this summer.
DeKalb County Police announced the arrest of nine members of the Hate Committee Friday morning. The group is now charged in connection with five murders since May 2015. The group is also charged in connection with four other shooting and multiple assaults, all in the three month stretch between May and August. Police say the bloody summer started when high-ranking member of Hate Committee Donald Glass, alias 'Smurf", said members of the gang in the DeKalb County branch were "not right" with gang leadership. According to investigators, Glass gave a standing order that any gang member representing the Gangster Disciples within the county were "green lighted". That gave clearance for other gang members to rob, harm, and even kill, those people.
Mug shots and charges of 9 alleged members of the Hate Committee:
"These aren't a bunch of kids that are accused of just being bad kids or misbehaving," DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said. "Make no mistake about it: we are dealing with a violent gang, that is organized and determined. But what we want our citizens to know is that we are more organized and more determined."
The eight men and one woman arrested are all charged with violating the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. Other charges range from malice murder to attempted robbery.
Timeline of alleged crimes:
May 13, 2015: Murder of Tory Alston
July 1, 2015: Murder of Demarco Franklin
July 3, 2015: Armed Robbery at the Stone Mountain Inn
July 3, 2015: Murder of Edward Chadmon
July 3, 2015: Shooting of Darius Wilder
July 30, 2015: Shooting of Deion Harden
July 30, 2015: Murder of Oliver Campbell
July 30, 2015: Shooting of Falana Coley
July 30, 2015: Murder of Rocqwell Nelson
July 30, 2015: Shooting of Jordan Turner
August 19, 2015: Possession of handguns and rifles without proper carry permits
August 19, 2015: Acquiring and receiving guns and marijuana as part of gang activity
DeKalb County Police Chief Cedric Alexander has a warning for members of the gang still operating in his county: "When we find those and identify those that are involved, all bets are off. We're coming at you. Wherever you are, we will find you. That is it. Period. There is no in-between."
