Clifford "Skipp" Townsend, a prominent Los Angeles gang interventionist and former gang member known for his peacemaking efforts, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. The 62-year-old was taken into custody Wednesday morning outside his nonprofit organization, 2nd Call, by detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide Division.
Townsend was arrested alongside Lenita Sinna Dee Lewis, Shamond “Lil AD” Bennet, Nichole Aaliyah Smith, and Jeremiah Abdelhameed. Bennet and Townsend are being held on $2 million bail, while the other three are held on $50,000 bail.
Townsend co-founded 2nd Call in 2006 with the stated mission to reduce violence and assist in the personal development of high-risk individuals. The organization has secured taxpayer-funded contracts totaling nearly $700,000 with the city of Los Angeles and partnered on initiatives such as enrolling formerly incarcerated individuals during the construction of SoFi Stadium.
Townsend spent nearly 27 years as part of the Rollin’ 20s Bloods gang before leaving that life. He reportedly had his first arrest at age 13.
Gang experts and activists who have worked with Townsend expressed surprise at the news. Jorja Leap, a gang expert at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, told the Los Angeles Times that the allegations did not align with the man she knows. Activist Najee Ali also described Townsend as a reliable figure.
The arrest follows the fatal shooting of Reginald Foreman, a 51-year-old worker for 2nd Call, in August. Foreman was killed by a masked assailant while removing weeds. Authorities have not announced a connection between Foreman's death and Townsend's arrest.
The investigation into Townsend's alleged involvement in the murder plot is ongoing.