The streets of Central Stockton turned deadly on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, when a violent shootout claimed the lives of two young men, identified by street sources as Twan, a key figure from 300 Blackgate tied to EBK, and Phat Boi, a member of Conway Crip and Smack Team. I stood at the 300 block of South San Joaquin Street, where the chaos unfolded around 4:45 p.m., the air thick with tension as police cordoned off the scene.
Yellow tape fluttered in the evening breeze, marking the grim reality: two men in their 20s, riddled with gunshot wounds, lay dead on the pavement. The asphalt was stained with blood, shell casings scattered like grim confetti, as homicide detectives worked swiftly to piece together the tragedy that shook Stockton’s hip-hop and street communities.
According to sources close to the scene, Twan from 300 Blackgate got into a bangout with Phat Boi from Conway Crip and Smack Team, and they ended up taking each other out. This wasn’t just a random clash; it was a deadly culmination of bad blood, with both men reportedly pulling triggers in a fierce exchange.
For 300 Blackgate, Twan was a tophat, a respected figure whose loss hits hard. Phat Boi, known in the Conway Crip and Smack Team circles, was equally significant to his crew, making this a double blow to Stockton’s underground scene. The exact spark of this deadly feud remains murky, but whispers on the street point to ongoing gang rivalries that have long plagued the city.
As I surveyed the scene, the weight of Stockton’s gang history hung heavy. EBK, or Every Body Killa, tied to the nightingales and a mix of Bloods and Crips, has been a dominant force in Stockton’s streets, with 300 Blackgate as a key faction. Twan’s affiliation with EBK placed him in a world where loyalty and respect are currency, but so are violence and retribution.
Conway Crip, linked to Phat Boi, is part of Stockton’s complex Crip landscape, while Smack Team, less documented, may be a smaller crew or drug-connected faction, possibly tied to the term “smack” for heroin. Social media posts have fueled speculation, with one circulating phrase stating,
“He was a demon and died on demon time Yk that,”
suggesting a narrative of street justice that resonates in the hip-hop community.
Police have arrested one suspect in connection with the homicide, but details about the individual remain under wraps as the investigation continues. Standing near the crime scene, I saw officers collecting evidence, their faces grim as they navigated a crowd of onlookers, some whispering about revenge, others mourning in silence.
The shooting happened in broad daylight, near Lafayette Street and the Crosstown Freeway, a busy area where families and workers pass through, amplifying the community’s shock. Police moved methodically, bagging shell casings and photographing the scene, while a nearby memorial of candles and balloons began to form, a testament to the lives cut short.
Stockton’s history of gang violence provides context for this tragedy. Operations like Hybrid Havoc in 2022 targeted groups like EBK, Northside Gangster Crips, and others, seizing guns and drugs but failing to stop the cycle of violence. EBK’s reputation for firearms trafficking and homicides has made it a focus for law enforcement, yet the streets remain a battleground.
A post from X.
Conway Crip, part of Stockton’s Crip sets like Sutter Street and Northside Gangster Crips, often clashes with rivals, while Smack Team’s role is less clear, possibly a newer or localized crew beefing with groups like Sutter Street Crips. The loss of Twan and Phat Boi, both reportedly tied to Stockton’s rap scene, underscores how deeply gang life intertwines with the city’s hip-hop culture, where lyrics often mirror the pain and pride of the block.
As night fell, the scene grew quieter, but the tension lingered. Community members left flowers and messages, some calling for peace, others hinting at retaliation. The Stockton Police Department urges anyone to contact their crime tip line.
For now, the deaths of Twan and Phat Boi mark a dark chapter for 300 Blackgate, Conway Crip, and Smack Team, leaving fans and families grappling with the cost of a feud that ended in a hail of bullets.
Stay tuned to Hypefresh for updates on this case and its ripple effects in Stockton’s streets and music scene.
