Key Figure in Gang Peace Treaty Released From Jail

Daude Sherrills, one of the architects of the 1992 Watts gang peace treaty, was released from jail Friday after his arrest for battery on a police officer during a ruckus at the Jordan Downs public housing project sparked when a woman got a parking ticket.

The Wednesday afternoon incident began when a woman, Tasha Barrett, loudly objected to getting a ticket for illegally parking her car on the front lawn of her apartment building, residents and police said. She allegedly pushed a Los Angeles Housing Authority bicycle officer and the two began to scuffle, authorities said.

When Barrett’s pregnant sister joined the fray, a large crowd quickly gathered and a single gunshot was fired. Sherrills confronted the police about what he viewed as the abuse of a pregnant woman.

“He said, ‘Why are you treating a pregnant sister like that,’ and they started pushing him back with their nightsticks,” said Elvonzo Cromwell, who said he witnessed the incident.

“It was out of line that way they treated the pregnant lady, slinging her around like that,” Sherrills said after his release.

Capt. George Gascon of the Southeast division said Sherrills bumped up against one of the officers. He added that charges may still be filed when the investigation concludes.

Late Thursday night at the project, a tense calm prevailed. Many in the crowded housing project angrily said that incidents like the one this week are on the rise.