Our friend Mollye lives in Eagle Rock, across the street from a cemetery and squarely in the territory of the Avenues street gang.

On Thursday she was evacuated from her home:

A drive-by attack followed by a wild shootout between gang members and police shut down dozens of blocks of Northeast Los Angeles for nearly six hours Thursday afternoon, stranding thousands of residents, keeping students locked in their classrooms and leaving two people dead.

Veteran L.A. Police Department officials described the bizarre midday shootings — and the widespread disruption they caused — as highly unusual even in an area known for gang activity. It left the neighborhood littered with shell casings and its residents fearful.

And here’s a good backgrounder on the gangs and the neighborhood:

Police have tried to crush them for years, but for all the law enforcement rained upon the shabby two blocks of wrought-iron fences and stucco apartments, homeboys still command the street

Related posts:

1. Glassell Park Is Sick Of Gangs
2. Question of the Week: Name Your Local Gang!
3. 11 Gangs Targeted, 12th Gang Slighted
4. Awesome sushi in Eagle Rock
5. Fresh & Easy Eagle Rock