Ep 7. Radicalization of Evan Ebel

Valley of the Damned is a docuseries that examines some of the most shocking crimes in history. In season 1, episode 7, The Radicalization of Evan Ebel, viewers are taken on a journey to uncover the events leading up to the tragic shooting of Colorado's Department of Corrections Director Tom Clements. Evan Ebel, a white supremacist and member of the prison gang, 211 Crew, committed the heinous act, but what led him to do so?

The episode begins with the murder of pizza delivery driver Nate Leon, who's killed by Evan Ebel. The investigation into Leon's death leads law enforcement to discover that Ebel had ties to the 211 Crew, a white supremacist group that operates within Colorado's prison system. Through interviews with people who knew Ebel, such as his high school friends, and official documents, the show delves deeper into Ebel's past and upbringing and how it contributed to his radicalization.

It's revealed that Ebel's father was a convicted bank robber who'd spent most of Evan's childhood in and out of jail. Evan's mother was also in and out of prison, and the family lived in poverty and struggled to make ends meet. When Evan was a teenager, he began to exhibit some troubling behavior, such as setting fires and stealing. He was eventually sent to a juvenile detention center, where he began to associate with white supremacist groups.

As the show progresses, it becomes clear that Ebel became more and more radicalized during his time in prison. Interviews with former corrections officers and gang experts reveal how gangs like the 211 Crew operate within the prison system and how easily inmates can become radicalized. Ebel became a "shot caller" within the gang, meaning he had considerable influence and power.

The episode also explores the role that drugs played in Ebel's life. It's revealed that Ebel had developed an addiction to prescription drugs, and his time in prison only exacerbated the problem. He was often given prescription painkillers and sedatives to manage the injuries he sustained from fights with other inmates. Experts argue that the over-prescription of drugs in the prison system can also contribute to the radicalization of inmates.

The show also delves into the circumstances that led to Tom Clements' murder. It's revealed that Clements was a vocal opponent of the death penalty and had worked to alleviate the harsh conditions of inmates in Colorado's prisons. For Ebel and the 211 Crew, Clements was seen as a threat, someone who was standing in the way of their goals. The episode doesn't shy away from the details of the murder, but it's presented in a way that's respectful to Clements' memory and avoids glamourizing Ebel's actions.

Throughout the episode, viewers are provided with a detailed understanding of how someone like Evan Ebel can become radicalized and commit a violent act. The show doesn't offer any easy answers, but instead, it encourages viewers to grapple with the complexities of these issues. The Radicalization of Evan Ebel is a thoughtful and thought-provoking episode that takes a deep dive into the disturbing world of white supremacy and prison gangs.