7. Director Of Operations – John “Unique” Ayala
John Ayala aka John Unique King is a native New Yorker, born in Brooklyn and grew up on Staten Island (Park Hill). John and his three younger sisters were raised in a single parent household, by his mother Pamala King. The neighborhoods were low-income communities. At the age of 8, he joined the Young Marine Cadets. His goal was to get involved in all positive and motivational activities so that he could become a role model for his sisters and other young people within his community. At the age of 15, John joined the Guardian Angels.
The beginning Of the Washington DC Chapter
In 1989, at age 19, John relocated to the D.C. Metropolitan area and brought the Guardian Angels programs there. He set up programs in Landover, MD; Trenton Park in Southeast DC; Baltimore, MD; Frederick, MD; and Cambridge, MD. Each chapter had approximately 50 members with Landover having about 100. April 16, 1990 – Mr. Ayala was stabbed with an ice pick a half inch from his spine during a fight with a drug dealer. Two other Angels were treated at the hospital for less serious injuries and released.
Mr. Ayala is an active member of a number of community service associations and groups. In 1992-1995, he was a cheerleader coach for the SE All-Stars Football League with a 2-year victory at Assumption Catholic Church. In 1995, John coached a youth softball team in SE DC and won the championship. In 1996, he started the Military Cadets for youth from age 8-15. John believes that all children are a very important part of the community and need God, love and guidance. He has been blessed with a gift to motivate young people, and he uses it in his various capacities.
June 1990 – Patrolled Clifton Terrace NW to prevent drug activity. Mr. Ayala was cut on his left side by a man who refused to stop selling drugs on the property. These incidents did not stop him. He continues to do what he believes in – keeping the streets safe and free of drugs.
April 28, 1997 - John Ayala with Guardian Angels attend candlelight visual at the Six District Police Station. Three Police Officers were gunned down in three months. Mr. Ayala voiced his opinion on capital punishment for killing a police officer.
July 3, 1997 – John Ayala lead the DC Guardian Angels in a Save the Children Campaign on the corner of Benning Road and East Capitol St by passing out flyers that read ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, SAVE OUR CHILDREN, STOP THE DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS, SAY NO TO GANGS, SAY NO TO DRUGS. This grab attaction all over the city and many people came out to join Mr Ayala in this campaign.
September 11, 2001 terrorist attact
On the morning of September 11th, 2001 terrorists hijacked four commercial jet planes and attempted to fly them into several U.S. targets. One of the planes, American Airlines Flight 11, crashed into Tower One of the World Trade Center at 8:50 AM. United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into Tower Two at 9:04 AM. As the world watched Tower Two collapsed to the ground at about 10:00 AM. Terrorist attack brought about the death of approximately 3,000 men, women and children from nations around the world. After watching the Terrorist Attack on TV. John Ayala knew he had to do something to help his fellow Amercians. John Ayala ask a dozon of his fellow Guardian Angels from Washington DC to head to New York with him to help with Search and rescue. Knowing the dangers of the area, on September 13, 2001 John Ayala and members of the DC Guardian Angels head to New York City and spent three twelve hours days working with police and firman going through the ruble to help locate survvors.
October 2002 DC Snipper
October 2002 was the beginning of what seemed like the longest three weeks in the Washington Metropolitan Area. No one wanted to believe that what was happening would change the lives of thousands. What appeared to be a random killing spree by an enraged lunatic, turned out to be part of a massive plan that claimed the lives of 10 innocent people in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. When these shootings first began, they were believed to be linked to a white van or truck. It was later discovered that these shootings were being carried out by a man named John Allen Muhammad, and his teenage accomplice Lee Boyd Malvo, in a blue 1990 Chevrolet Caprice sedan. Against everyone’s wishes and not thinking of his own safety John Ayala asked Members of the Guardian Angels, the volunteer public safety organization, to man two gas stations in Alexandria and pump the gas for travelers who were too scared to get out of their cars.
Gang War in Columbia Heights
November 25, 2003 – After meeting with Chief Charles H Ramesy (Washington DC Police) and Councilman Jim Graham, Mr. Ayala started patrols in Columbia Heights and other NW neighborhoods that have been plagued by gang related shootings in recent months. Mr Ayala had 24 hours volunteer patrols in Columbia Heights.
May 2, 2004 – Councilman Jim Graham and local DC Police Officers credited Mr. Ayala and the Guardian Angels in the successful gang and crime crackdown in Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights.
