Baltimore Gang Leader Found Dead After Barricade In Georgia: ATF

Updated at 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8:

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The man accused of founding a gang responsible for dozens of shootings in Baltimore is believed to have died by shooting himself after an hours-long barricade in Georgia that involved hostages.

Gary Creek, 39, was found deceased in an apartment in Sandy Springs, Ga., the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported Tuesday afternoon.

Creek was wanted in Baltimore, where the ATF offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Federal officials say Creek founded the Triple C gang — which stands for the "Cruddy Conniving Crutballs" — as an alternative gang to the Black Guerilla Family.

The group was responsible for murders, murder attempts, carjackings, robberies, assaults and witness intimidation between 2015 and November 2020, according to prosecutors, who said Creek took contract murders and ordered other members of the gang to carry them out.

Creek was among 15 people indicted in connection with the Triple C organization Thursday. At that point, officials believed he was going to surrender Friday.

He was under court-ordered supervised release, according to the ATF, which reported Monday that investigators believe he has people helping him to avoid getting arrested.

Officers from the Sandy Springs Police Department in Georgia were called to an apartment where a person who shot a firearm had barricaded himself inside, police reported at 1:10 p.m.

Before 4 p.m., officials said three hostages were released.

The suspect, subsequently identified as Creek, was deceased inside the apartment from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"ATF Baltimore is grateful to our partners in the Sandy Springs Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and ATF Atlanta Field Division for their quick action and assistance today," the ATF said in a statement Tuesday night. "We are also thankful that the three hostages were released safely and no law enforcement officers or bystanders were harmed."

Previous report from Monday, June 7

BALTIMORE, MD — Authorities are asking for help finding a man they say should be considered armed and dangerous.

Gary Creek, 39, is charged in a conspiracy that is responsible for more than 40 murders and attempted murders in Baltimore, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Federal officials say Creek founded the Triple C gang, which stands for the "Cruddy Conniving Crutballs," as an alternative gang to the Black Guerilla Family.

The group was responsible for murders, murder attempts, carjackings, robberies, assaults, and witness intimidation between 2015 and November 2020, according to prosecutors, who said Creek took contract murders and ordered other members of the gang to carry them out.

Creek has short, dark brown hair and walks with a "significant limp," officials said, noting he may be using a wheelchair to get around.

He is 5 feet, 10 inches tall; 185 pounds; and has a gold tooth, large scar on the right side of his neck and tattoos on his upper and lower arms.

Creek was among 15 people indicted in connection with the Triple C organization Thursday. At that point, officials believed he was going to surrender Friday.

He was under court-ordered supervised release, according to the ATF, which reported Monday that investigators believe he has people helping him to avoid getting arrested.

Officials said a joint investigation into the Triple C gang conducted by the FBI and the Baltimore Police Department uncovered a drug distribution and racketeering conspiracy including the following:

• 18 murders
• 27 attempted murders
• Narcotics trafficking
• Illegal firearms possession
• Robbery
• Carjacking
• Assault
• Witness intimidation and retaliation

Investigators said the gang ran street-level drug distribution “shops” for heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine and marijuana, among other drugs, in northeast and east Baltimore's Darley Park and Orchard Ridge neighborhoods.

For information leading to the arrest of Creek, the ATF is offering a $10,000 reward.

"He should be considered armed and dangerous," the ATF said in a statement. "Do not approach him if you see him. Immediately call 911 or 888-ATF-TIPS. ATF Special Agents, U.S. Marshals, and Baltimore Police Department officers are searching for him and are now asking for the public to assist the investigation by coming forward with any information that will lead to his arrest."

Anyone with information should contact ATF at (888) ATF-TIPS or ATFtips@atf.gov.