Pistol Pete

Pistol Pete
Real Name	Peter Stokes
Alias(es)	Pete Pistol Pete
Species	Human
Citizenship	American
Gender	Male
Date of Death	April 1987
Affiliation	Harlem's Paradise
Status	Deceased
Appearances
TV Series	Luke Cage (2 episodes)
Actors/Actresses
Portrayed by	Curtiss Cook

"Uncle Pete betrayed us."
"Uncle Pete was the only one who ever had my back."

―Mariah Dillard and Cornell Stokes^[src]

Peter Stokes, nicknamed Pistol Pete in Harlem's criminal circles, was a mobster and member of Mama Mabel's crime family. Mabel discovered him making deals with other criminal organizations and as a result, was shot and killed by his own nephew Cornell Stokes under Mabel's orders.

Biography

Stokes Family

Stokes Criminal Empire

"Pistol Pete," along with his brother Buggy Stokes and sister-in-law Mama Mabel, built a criminal empire in Harlem through gun running, prostitution, and other activities — but refused to get involved with drugs.

Dealing with the McIvers

After the death of Buggy, Pete and Mabel went to Jamaica to settle disputes with the McIvers whom were set to possess half their assets surrounding Harlem's Paradise from the death of partner Quincy McIver.

Assassination Attempt on John McIver

To be added

Encouraging Cottonmouth

"On his deathbed, what did you promise Buggy? That you'd take care of me and our business."
"What the hell are you talking about, Mabel? I've always put this shit before anything else. You were my woman before you was his. But I let that go. You always protect your family. No matter what."

―Mama Mabel and Pistol Pete^[src]

Soon, the family returned to Harlem, Mabel in control of the Stokes family business and Pete as her right hand and main enforcer. Pete, recognizing his nephew Cornell's musical talent and his potential to be something other than a criminal, encouraged his interest in the arts and even took him to auditions, in direct opposition to Mabel's wishes.

However, Pete also sexually abused his niece Mariah Dillard, causing Mabel to send her away to college in hopes of stopping the abuse. When Pop tried to convince Cornell to join him and Donnie in the street, Pete insisted that Cornell continue practicing his music. However at the same moment, Mabel accused Donnie of selling drugs against her wishes, and ordered Pete and Cornell to kill him. Despite Pete insisting that Cornell was not ready, Mabel ordered him to do it and they both beat Donnie to death outside the house.

Betrayed by Mama Mabel

Pete chafed at being under Mabel's thumb, and so conspired with Salvador Colon to involve the Stokes Family in drugs without Mabel's knowledge. When Mabel found out about the conspiracy, she ordered Cornell to kill his uncle. Pete's death would haunt Cornell for the rest of his life — he continued to play the keyboard in quiet moments and defended him against Dillard's hatred, even suggesting she welcomed his abuse. Indeed, Pete's death was an indirect cause of Cornell's own death, as that insensitive and misogynistic accusation provoked Mariah into killing him.

Relationships

Family

• Buggy Stokes † - Brother
• 'Mama' Mabel Stokes † - Sister-in-Law and Former Lover
• Jazmine Stokes - Niece
• Mariah Dillard † - Grand-niece and Rape Victim
• Cornell Stokes † - Grand-nephew and Killer
• Tilda Dillard - Biological Daughter and Great-Grand Niece

Allies

• Benjamin Donovan - Lawyer
• Kalinda Potter †
• Salvador Colon †
• Domingo Colon †
• Henry Hunter/Pop †

Enemies

• Quincy McIver †
• Gwen McIver †
• John McIver - Attempted Victim
• Donnie † - Victim

Appearances

Appearances of Pistol Pete
In chronological order: Luke Cage Season Two The Creator (flashback) Season One Manifest (flashback) Suckas Need Bodyguards (mentioned) Season Two Straighten It Out (mentioned) I Get Physical (mentioned) For Pete's Sake (mentioned) Can't Front on Me (mentioned) They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) (mentioned)

Gallery