Raymond Washington
| Raymond Washington | |
|---|---|
| 1974 mugshot | |
| Born | Raymond Lee Washington August 14, 1953 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | 
| Died | August 9, 1979 (aged 25) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | 
| Cause of death | Homicide (drive-by shooting) | 
| Occupation | Gang leader | 
| Organization | Crips | 
| Known for | Criminal activity and being one of the founders of the Crips street gang | 
| Children | Raymond Washington Jr. | 
| Allegiance | Crips | 
| Criminal charge | Robbery | 
| Penalty | 5 years in prison | 
| Date apprehended | 1974 | 
| Imprisoned at | Deuel Vocational Institution | 
Raymond Lee Washington (August 14, 1953 – August 9, 1979) was an American gangster, known as the founder of the Crips gang in Los Angeles. Washington formed the Crips as a minor street gang in the late 1960s in South Los Angeles, becoming a prominent local crime boss. In 1971, Washington formed an alliance with Stanley "Tookie" Williams, establishing the Crips as the first major African-American street gang in Los Angeles, and served as one of the co-leaders. In 1974, Washington was convicted of robbery and received a five-year prison sentence, during which his leadership and influence in the Crips declined.
On August 9, 1979, Raymond Washington was murdered in a drive-by shooting shortly after his release from prison.