# L.A. Anti-Gang Leader Cleared as Son Faces Murder Charges Prosecutors decline to charge Skipp Townsend while his son is accused of gang-related murder. - **Source:** [Los Angeles Times – California](https://www.latimes.com/california) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c0b3f507-20d3-4f46-9bf4-123427c24847 ## Legal Status of Townsend Prosecutors have officially decided not to file criminal charges against Skipp Townsend, the prominent executive director of the violence prevention group 2nd Call. Townsend was initially arrested on Wednesday by LAPD detectives and federal agents on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, but he was released shortly after the investigation. ## Son Faces Murder Charges While the elder Townsend was cleared, his 19-year-old son, Kody Townsend, now faces a formal murder charge. The District Attorney’s office alleges that the younger Townsend used an assault rifle to kill Reginald Foreman, a 2nd Call employee, in August. Authorities described the fatal shooting as a gang-motivated act of violence. ## The Victim and Conflict Reginald Foreman, a 51-year-old known as Big Ant, was killed while working to clean up a stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard. Witnesses reported that a masked gunman approached Foreman and fired at point-blank range. The killing reportedly stemmed from a simmering conflict between rival factions of the Crips street gang. ## Arrests and Accessory Charges Alongside the elder Townsend, four other individuals were arrested during the raid on the 2nd Call offices. Among them, 25-year-old Jeremiah Abdelhameed was charged as an accessory after the fact in Foreman’s death. Prosecutors did not file charges against three other individuals who were detained during the same police operation. ## Community Impact Concerns Advocates worry that the high-profile arrest of a respected interventionist could have a chilling effect on community safety efforts. Sean Garcia-Leys of the Peace Justice Law Center noted that such actions might discourage formerly incarcerated individuals from pursuing violence prevention work, fearing they remain targets for law enforcement despite their rehabilitation. ## Townsend's Professional Background Skipp Townsend is a former gang member who has led 2nd Call since 2006, earning respect from both city officials and rival gang members. He has spent over two decades mediating disputes and providing alternatives to street life. His attorney stated that he is eager to return to his violence prevention work. ## Pattern of Law Enforcement Observers suggest this case fits a recurring pattern of law enforcement scrutiny toward interventionists with criminal histories. Earlier this year, another peace ambassador was arrested on weapons charges that were later dismissed on a legal technicality. Critics argue these arrests often lack sufficient evidence and disrupt critical community-based mediation programs. ## Family and Personal Struggle In a previous interview, Skipp Townsend expressed deep personal pain regarding his own children's involvement in gang life. Despite his efforts to steer them away from the streets, he revealed that his two youngest sons had joined Crips gangs. This personal tragedy highlights the complex challenges faced by those working in intervention. ## Current Investigative Status The District Attorney’s office has not provided a specific reason for declining to charge the elder Townsend, citing the ongoing nature of the case. Meanwhile, the LAPD has not responded to requests for comment regarding the arrest. Authorities continue to investigate the broader circumstances surrounding the August murder of Reginald Foreman. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-11-06/skipp-townsend-los-angeles-county-district-attorney-charges — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._