Who is riff Lorton on the west side story book?

Riff Lorton is a key character in "West Side Story," a musical inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." He is the leader of the Jets, a white teenage gang in New York City, and serves as a close friend to Tony, one of the story's protagonists. Riff is characterized by his loyalty and determination to assert his gang's dominance over rival groups, particularly the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang. His actions and decisions drive much of the conflict in the story.