Person of interest in multiple murders fatally shot by police in August Town

 

A person of interest in multiple murders and shootings across several police divisions in Kingston and St. Andrew was fatally shot on Monday during an intelligence-led operation by the police in August Town.

 

The deceased has been identified as Deandre Williams, otherwise called 'Yankee' and 'Streetlife' of Nanny Boulevard in Nannyville, St. Andrew. 

 

The police say he was killed during a reported confrontation with the team at 1A August Town Road, Bottom River in the Kingston 7 area. 

 

One 9mm Taurus pistol with a magazine containing 10 cartridges was reportedly seized from Williams. 

 

The police say Williams, a top-tier member of the nighttime brawling group and the African Gardens Vietnam Gang, was being sought in connection with murders and shootings committed across the St. Andrew Central, St. Andrew North, St. Andrew South and Kingston Eastern divisions. 

 

He was deported from Canada in June of 2024 after he spent four years in prison for forcible confinement, assault and possession of prohibited weapon. 

 

Eighteen men aligned to the African Gardens Vietnam Gang were also apprehended and taken into custody during the operation. 

 

Assistant Commissioner Michael Phipps, head of the Police Area 4 formation, said similar targeted operations will be carried out in the coming days across the five divisions. 

 

"This latest operation, I can tell you, is a part of an ongoing series of operations where we seek to crack down on the high-risk targets across the Area 4 space. This operation will continue and we will be going right across the entire Area 4 space inclusive of divisions such as Kingston Western, St. Andrew South and all the other divisions within the Area 4," he disclosed.

 

The police said it should be noted that Bottom River in August Town is a known hotspot frequented by migrant criminals.