sleeezy Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 "Mafia Born, Mafia Sworn" Mafia Made Piru, commonly referred to as the Two M's, is a long-established African-American street gang formed during the mid 1980s in the western district of South Los Santos, San Andreas. Their neighborhood, commonly known as the "Vespucci Canals" is located in the western part of South Los Santos. Sitting on small islands, surrounded by water, the area features a mix of residential homes. While the neighborhood itself is relatively affluent, it is not very large and is known for being a home to several gangs. The area in which the Mafia Made Piru claim as their territory is known as "Marina view", centered around Imagination Courts and Prosperity Street on Vespucci Boulevard. This stretch of land serves as a status symbol for a number of reasons, with the prominent reason that it's located in a historically Crip-dominated neighborhood. Initially, Mafia Made Piru was known as the "Made Men," a name that came from their early days as a tight-knit coalition of ambitious individuals. The name was derived from the gang's desire to establish themselves as as a powerful force in their community, similar to how the term was used in organization to denote individuals who had earned respect and power within a criminal organization. What began as a small circle of like-minded individuals with a shared vision soon grew into a formidable presence, embodying the mafia mentality they aimed to uphold. Key figures who played a role in the foundation of Made Men was none other than: • Ralph "Monk" Glenn, 26 ( April 7, 1964 – June 19, 1990), shot and killed by members of the Marvin Gangster Crips. • Avery "Piru Bull" Simmons • Melvin "Maniak" Mitchell, 34 (January 11, 1966 – January 22, 2000), shot a killed in a drive-by shooting on Alta Street in the Strawberry-Davis community of South Los Santos. On September 15, 2002, Clarence Blackwell, 32, was arrested as the driver of the car and on Oct 5, 2002, DeAndre Shaw, 30, a member of Blastin Fools Gangsta Crip was arrested in Los Santos. Blackwell was found guilty in 2010 and sentenced to 65-years in prison for 1st degree murder and McNeil was found guilty as well and sentenced to 70-years in prison for 1st degree murder. • Daryl "Red Foxx" Thompson • Marvin "Lil Maniak 2" Mitchell, ( – June 1, 1994), was fatally shot in his car while at a red light near Vespucci Boulevard and San Andreas Avenue in Vespucci. At least two shooters, got out of a minivan and started shooting from behind Marvin and through his passenger window. There were 9mm and .45 caliber casings found at the scene. • Ronald "Butcher" Evans, currently serving a life sentence for his role in a triple homicide. • Vernon "Hit Man" Jackson, currently incarcerated in San Andreas Correction Facility serving 35 years for a murder. • Carlton "Tootie Ru" Hayes, 57 (August 16, 1965 – November 25, 2022), suffered a stroke. Although many of the original members from the mid-80s and early 90s have either been incarcerated or lost their lives in gang retaliation, the impact these historical figures had continues to shape the new generation of Mafia Made Piru. Since then, the gang’s notoriety has skyrocketed in the West Los Santos district, especially due to the ongoing feud with rival Crip gangs. "Mafia Roots" In the early 1980s, a small group of young, ambitious individuals came together with a vision—one that was rooted in the hustle of their community and the streets they called home. Known initially as "Made Men," their origins trace back to the southern region of the Vespucci Canals, an area that, while still in its early stages of development, was becoming known for its street-savvy youth and their desire to control the turf. The "Made Men" weren’t just a group; they were a brotherhood, driven by the hustle and the dream of something bigger. At that time, the streets looked promising for those willing to push the boundaries. As teenagers, they were already involved in all kinds of money-making schemes that were popular at the time—whether it was slinging drugs, shooting dice, or pimping. Their pockets were getting fatter, and their influence was spreading, creating a network of young men who weren’t just looking to survive but to dominate the game. While the neighborhood was still small, the power they began to build was undeniable. By 1981, the Made Men were no longer just a handful of guys. As their numbers grew, people from other sides of town started to hang around, and with that growth came a more defined identity. They needed something to show they were stepping up, a way to tie themselves to something bigger. That's when the Mafia got added to their name—marking the strength, respect, and loyalty they were aiming for. They weren’t just chasing money anymore; they were becoming a real force. It wasn’t until late '83 or early '84 when the “Made Men” first adopted the Piru moniker. It wasn’t a decision taken lightly. When members of the Mob Piru came through to Vespucci Beach to hang out, the connection between the two gangs was obvious. Although the original members were hesitant about aligning themselves with the Pirus, the younger generation of Made Men saw the potential and decided it was time to expand their reach. With that, they embraced the Piru identity, and just like that, the "Made Men" were reborn as "Made Man Mafia Piru." This connection was done by Avery Simmons, later known as Piru Bull, whose family ties to Mob Piru played a pivotal role in the gang’s transition. Avery’s direct affiliation to Mob Piru deepened their ties to the broader Piru banner. As a key figure in the addition of the Piru moniker, Avery not only helped bridge the gap between the two gangs but also introduced the younger generation of Made Men to the culture and ideology of the Piru lifestyle. It wasn’t just about adopting a name—it was about securing their place within a powerful entity. But it wasn’t an easy sell for everyone. Ralph “Monk” Glenn and Carlton “Tootie Ru” Hayes were initially resistant to the idea of aligning with Piru. They feared that connecting with the Pirus would corrupt their original vision for the gang, which had been built on the identity of a tight-knit, self-sustaining, mafia-like crew. However, after several talks with Piru Bull and Red Foxx, the two were eventually swayed. Red Foxx, also served as a crucial link between Mob Piru and Mafia Made Piru, playing a role in bringing the older generation on board. It took time, but after careful deliberation, the gang officially adopted the Piru identity, joining the larger Piru movement. Around 1986, the gang would go through another shift, marking the end of their identity crisis. With a focus to the Piru movement, the name officially changed to Mafia Made Piru, signifying that the moment they became Mafia, they became Piru. Ronald Evans, later known as Butcher, played a major role in this change. Having witnessed the gang's rise and the constant evolution of their identity, Evans felt that the "M,ade Men Mafia Piru" name was limiting and didn’t fit the movement they were following. By shortening it to "Mafia Made Piru," Butcher aimed to present a stronger image, one that showed they were no longer just a street gang but a force with the discipline and reach of a mafia organization, still rooted in the Piru tradition but with a more refined purpose. "Mafia Raised, Mafia Praised" While the gang was evolving, tragedy struck the Mitchell family. The Mitchells—already known for their hardened street reputation—suffered an immense loss in 1986 that would change the course of their lives and solidify their legacy. In an act of retaliation, members of the rival Crips targeted the Mitchell household in a drive-by shooting. However, they tragically hit the youngest member of the family, 6-year-old Micaela Mitchell, who was shot while sleeping with her Cabbage Patch Kids. Her death made headlines, and law enforcement saw it as a major catalyst behind the surge in gang-related homicides in South Los Santos during 1986 and 1987. Micaela’s death hit the Mitchell brothers, Melvin “Maniak” Mitchell and Marvin “Lil Maniak 2” Mitchell, hard. Many in the streets believed that it was this loss that turned the brothers into what they would later become known for: ruthless avengers of their sister’s death. The Mitchell family quickly made a name for themselves as they retaliated with brutal force against the rival Crips responsible for Micaela's death. Their ruthless response to the tragedy led to the birth of the 'Maniak' reputation. The Mitchells began to hunt down anyone associated with the rival Crips. It was believed—though never fully confirmed—that the brothers had been responsible for the deaths of multiple Crip members across various gangs, including the WLS Trays, Blastin Fools Gangster Crips, Mansfield Gangster Crips, and Marvin Gangster Crips. The Mitchell brothers allegedly worked in tandem, taking out two or three members at a time, and by the end of their rampage, it was rumored that they had a body count between 15 to 18 kills. The brothers' violent retaliation added fuel to the fire, with their names becoming synonymous with the bloodshed. It was in the wake of these events that the Mitchells solidified their place in the history of Mafia Made Piru. By 1988, the tide began to shift again. The streets had become more dangerous, and the gang’s reputation had spread across South Los Santos. But for the Two M's, it was a turning point. In 1988, Monk went down for possession of an illegal firearm. Though he was sentenced, he was expected to be released in 1990. The following year 1989 also marked the downfall of Vernon “Hit Man” Jackson, one of the earliest members of the crew to face serious consequences. Arrested and sentenced to 35 years in prison for his involvement in a murder, Hit Man became arguably the first Mafia Made Piru member to receive such a lengthy sentence. His arrest signaled the beginning of a larger crackdown on gang activity in Los Santos by the LSPD's C.R.A.S.H. unit. "The Mafia Era" The transition into the 90s marked a pivotal moment for Mafia Made Piru, as the gang faced a series of internal and external challenges that would define their future. One of the earliest blows came with the untimely death of Ralph "Monk" Glenn. Just days after his release from prison in 1990 on parole, Monk was gunned down, leaving a hole in the heart of the gang. His death, particularly as one of the gang's foundational members, symbolized the rising danger and instability the crew would face in the coming years. Monk's loss was felt deeply by the older generation, and his absence began to change the dynamics of the group, which had always thrived on tight-knit loyalty. By the mid-90s, tensions on the streets were at an all-time high. Rivalries were deeper, and the Crips remained a powerful threat, especially the Grave Yard Gangster Crips (GYGC), who had been gaining ground. In 1993, Derrick Vaughn, aka 'G Bones,' a well-known member of the GYGC, became a casualty of the ongoing violence. He was killed in an ambush set up by the Mafia Made Piru, who were actually targeting members of the Blastin Fools Gangster Crips. G Bones' death didn’t just mark the end of his life—it started a new wave of hostility between the two gangs. The rivalry would only grow more violent in the years that followed. Not long after, Hakeem Curtis “Hot 1” Fleming, a rising star within the Mafia Made Piru, was killed, fueling even more tension between the Piru and the GYGC. Hot 1 was known for his quick rise and his leadership in guiding the younger generation of Made Men. The GYGC, believed to have retaliated once again, striking back in 1994, taking down Marvin 'Lil Maniak 2' Mitchell. On June 1, 1994, Marvin was fatally shot while sitting in his car at a red light near Vespucci Boulevard and San Andreas Avenue. At least two shooters, emerging from a minivan, opened fire from behind, shooting through his passenger window. Multiple 9mm and .45 caliber casings were found at the scene. His murder in 1994 was a wake-up call for the Mafia Made Piru. Lil Maniak’s death hit the Mafia Made Piru hard. The older generation wasn’t taking this loss lightly and waged war on the GYGC, going back and forth in retaliation. Meanwhile, Melvin 'Maniak' Mitchell, who had been locked up since 1991, was left mourning the loss of his younger brother—someone who had mirrored his lifestyle and followed in his footsteps. With the older figures in prison, the younger generation, including figures like Lil Kapone, Baby Krazy Ru, and Mad Brains 1, began to call shots in the neighborhood. Despite the ongoing violence and the looming threat of law enforcement cracking down on gang activities, these fresh faces injected new energy into the Mafia Made Piru, even as the older generation’s grip on the gang started to slip. As the 2000s approached, tragedy struck once more with the death of Melvin "Maniak" Mitchell. Just a few weeks after the turn of the millennium, on January 22, 2000, his life was taken in an ambush, as he was shot down in a drive-by. This lost sent heartbreaks through the Mafia Made Piru and the surrounding community, marking the end of a long chapter of bloodshed and loss. As Maniak was loved by several Bloods and Piru hoods. His death also left behind a grieving family, including a newborn child, and a legacy that would haunt the streets of Vespucci for years to come. In the years that followed, two men—Clarence Blackwell, 32, and DeAndre Shaw, 30, a member of the Blastin Fools Gangsta Crip—were arrested and later convicted for the murder. Blackwell, the driver, was found guilty in 2010 and sentenced to 65 years in prison, while Shaw was sentenced to 70 years for first-degree murder. Despite the justice served, the loss of Maniak left a hole that no sentence could fill, and the streets of Los Santos would never forget the man who tried so hard to change but was ultimately taken too soon. By then, the Mafia Made Piru's influence had begun to fade. The gentrification of the area only further distanced the gang from its roots, and many of the original members who had weathered the struggles of the 80s and 90s were either incarcerated or killed. "Mafia Bred, Mafia Fed" PRESENT, Mafia Made Piru stands at a crossroads, far from the once-dominant force they were in the streets of Vespucci. The area that once gave rise to some of the most feared names in Los Santos is now barely recognizable, with gentrification reshaping the landscape. The streets that used to be filled with 50 Pirus outside, are quieter, and the impact of the Mafia Made Piru has waned significantly. But despite this, the younger generation is still fighting to keep the legacy alive. Their numbers have dwindled, and their presence is no longer what it once was, but these newer members still hold on to what was built. They carry the weight of history on their shoulders, determined to honor the legacy. The challenges they face are steep: gentrification and law enforcement crackdowns. Still, the name "Mafia Made Piru" holds weight in certain parts of the city—just not like it used to. Vespucci itself has changed. Where there were once black-owned housings and promising businesses, there are now luxury condos and trendy businesses. The old spots that used to define the area have been replaced, but that hasn’t stopped the new generation from trying to maintain some kind of presence. They still patrol the streets, still gather in spots that hold meaning, and keep the name alive, even if it’s just a small pocket of resistance in a neighborhood that's no longer theirs. The reality is harsh, though. The older heads who carried the legacy are either locked up or gone, and the younger generation is left with less: fewer allies, fewer resources, and fewer ways to assert dominance. The streets they once ruled have changed, and with that comes a sense of displacement. They’re fighting to keep the past alive in a world that’s already moved on. But despite all of this, the fight isn’t over. Rivalries still exist, old and new. The spirit of Mafia Made Piru, the drive to prove dominance and strength, is still there. The newer faces, carrying the weight of what came before them, are learning that survival isn’t just about keeping turf—it’s about adapting to the times. The once-unshakable empire may be gone, but the legacy is far from forgotten. 35 2 1 Link to comment
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