JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A story on Tuesday explained how the state attorney's office called local rap group Cutt Circle a gang, while other community leaders said they are not.
Action News Jax received an email in response to the allegations directly from Cutt Circle Wednesday.
The group claims in the email it is not a gang and is even a pillar in the community.
Cutt Circle's music videos show members flashing guns and kids all together in the streets.
Group member Desi Varner, the son of a former Jacksonville sheriff's officer, was shot and killed last week.
Cutt Circle's Facebook page flat-out says they are not a gang.
[ For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts. ]
Their social media page also shows pictures of the group with guns and making obscene hand gestures at the cameras.
The email from Cutt Circle states:
"First and foremost, I would like to take the opportunity to state that Cutt Circle Records is not a gang. Cutt Circle Records is also in the process of putting a program together to provide kids help with homework and life decisions, to keep them out of prison."
The email ends by answering its own question.
"So is Cutt Circle a gang? No. Strictly a group of guys with a rap dream."
Gang prosecutor Rich Mantei at the state attorney's office says while Cutt Circle may not be a gang, its members and the rap group are directly associated with the local gang called 1200.
"If you watch their own videos and own propaganda, they are using kids as props. This is not a situation where they are giving back anything to the community except negative influences," Mantei said.
Action News Jax reached out to JSO regarding local gangs. JSO said Cutt Circle is not a documented gang; 1200 is.
We've contacted Cutt Circle for a comment about any association with the 1200 gang.