police searching for three gang members

[chaz]

3 alleged gang members eyed
A police source says the unnamed suspects are being sought in the slaying of Darrent Williams.
By Kirk Mitchell and Felisa Cardona
Denver Post Staff Writers
Article Last Updated: 01/05/2007 10:04:21 AM MST

A passer-by reported to police that the Chevrolet Tahoe they had been searching for was parked on Himalaya Road near East 38th Avenue in Green Valley Ranch, a neighborhood by DIA. The white SUV, recovered Thursday, was painted dark gray. (Post / Brian Brainerd)


Three alleged gang members have been identified as suspects in the fatal shooting of Denver Broncos player Darrent Williams, and Denver police were searching for them late Thursday, according to a police source.

The names of the gang members and what connection they may have had to Monday's shooting were not revealed.

Denver police spokeswoman Virginia Quiñones said late Thursday she could not verify that suspects have been identified in the case.

Williams, a starting cornerback for the Broncos, was shot to death early New Year's Day after leaving a nightclub party in a stretch limousine with several others. The shots were fired from a white sport utility vehicle that had pulled alongside the limo, witnesses said.

Earlier Thursday, police found an SUV they had been searching for in connection with the case.

A passerby reported that the Chevrolet Tahoe sought by detectives was parked at Himalaya Road near 38th Avenue in Green Valley Ranch, a neighborhood near Denver International Airport.

Painted dark gray

The SUV, with license-plate number 665-OBS, had been painted dark gray, except for its top, which was left white. Police said an effort was made to disguise the Tahoe's rear license plate with paint, but the front plate remained unaltered.

Police are investigating whether the Tahoe was used in the shooting but had not made a final determination, said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson. He said officers were checking the car for evidence.

"It's an act of desperation to abandon a vehicle in the middle of nowhere," Jackson said. "It raises questions."

The SUV is registered to Brian Kenneth Hicks, according to police sources. Hicks, 28, is being held in jail on charges that he tried to kill two women outside a nightclub in 2005, although neither woman was injured in the shooting attack, and on a separate charge of intending to distribute 8.8
The SUV police were seeking in connection with the Darrent Williams murder had been inexpertly painted a dark color with the exception of its roof. It was found abandoned early Jan. 4, 2007. (9News)
pounds of cocaine.

One of the women Hicks is accused of shooting at in 2005, Kalonniann Clark, was shot to death during a home-invasion robbery on Dec. 6. No arrests have been made.

Hicks was behind bars at the time Clark was killed, as well as when Williams was shot.

Hicks' wife, Kimaya James, was arrested two days before Clark was killed on allegations that she threatened Clark if she testified against Hicks at his attempted-murder trial.

When contacted at her home Thursday, James declined to talk about who might have been driving her husband's Tahoe, saying to do so wouldn't be "doing any good."

"I ask people to pray for us," James said. "We are victims in all of this, too."

Status and influence

Denver prosecutor David Karpel on Wednesday identified Hicks as a member of the "Tre Tre Crip" gang.

The Rev. Leon Kelly, who works with youths in danger of joining gangs and is considered an expert on Denver gang activity, said that the fact that Hicks is accused of intending to distribute 8.8 pounds of cocaine is an indicator that he had gained status and influence within the gang.

"Dealing that much weight in drugs gives you a lot of clout," Kelly said. "That's a lot of flake."

Hicks' SUV was taken to the Denver Sheriff's Department Vehicle Impound Facility on the 5200 block of Columbine Street.

Someone fired numerous bullets into the limo, striking Williams and two other occupants, at Speer Boulevard and West 11th Avenue, minutes after they left the Shelter nightclub at 1037 Broadway early Monday.

Williams died of a gunshot wound to the neck, according to the Denver Coroner's Office. The two other victims, Nicole Reindl and Brandon Flowers, were treated for injuries and released from the hospital.

Williams was celebrating Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin's birthday and New Year's Eve during the Shelter's Safari Party when there was a dispute between two groups of people at the club, according to police and various witnesses.

One person at the party who left before any trouble broke out said she was later told by others who stayed that a group of Williams' friends from Fort Worth, Texas, appeared to flash gang signs at the club and another group took offense.

Police did not confirm that account.

[orange 4 life]

thanks for posting the story. i actually assumed it was already posted otherwise i wouldve hopped on it.

its good to see.
when all this 1st happened, i had that awful feeling that this would end up on "unsolved mysteries" someday, so its great to see the police making progress in the case.

[chaz]

thanks for posting the story. i actually assumed it was already posted otherwise i wouldve hopped on it.

its good to see.
when all this 1st happened, i had that awful feeling that this would end up on "unsolved mysteries" someday, so its great to see the police making progress in the case.

i smiled when i read this and checked but i didnt see it posted anywhere...if it is i apologize, but it is worth posting over and over in my opinion

[orange 4 life]

two things.

1) people im sure will figure it out, but the "8.8 pounds of cocaine..." portion of the story is inverted. took me a sec to figure it out and make sense of it. should be an easy fix, and

2) why is NO ONE talking about k-mart? why hasnt he said ANYTHING? why did he have the party at this particular nightclub given the fact that its known for having the "seedy" people hang out there?

i know k-mart had a statement issued saying that he was advised not to comment, but for crying out loud. he could AT LEAST come out HIMSELF and if nothing else say he feels bad about what happened. offer comfort to the williams family. SOMETHING!!

[orange 4 life]

i smiled when i read this and checked but i didnt see it posted anywhere...if it is i apologize, but it is worth posting over and over in my opinion

heck yes my friend. heck yes.

[UKBronco]

When contacted at her home Thursday, James declined to talk about who might have been driving her husband's Tahoe, saying to do so wouldn't be "doing any good."

"I ask people to pray for us," James said. "We are victims in all of this, too."

How the hell is she a victim? She can take a running jump....

[Jason in LA]

That trick said that she and her husband were victims too. Okay, a guy on trial for attempted murder, who then had the key witness murdered, who's SUV was used in a drive by murder, who was selling a boat load of dope, and his wife threatened the key witness before she was murdered. She wants people to believe that they are victims?!?! WTF is that?!?! She should be going to the pokey along with her husband. And they both know who did this crime against D-Will.

[Jason in LA]

two things.

1) people im sure will figure it out, but the "8.8 pounds of cocaine..." portion of the story is inverted. took me a sec to figure it out and make sense of it. should be an easy fix, and

2) why is NO ONE talking about k-mart? why hasnt he said ANYTHING? why did he have the party at this particular nightclub given the fact that its known for having the "seedy" people hang out there?

i know k-mart had a statement issued saying that he was advised not to comment, but for crying out loud. he could AT LEAST come out HIMSELF and if nothing else say he feels bad about what happened. offer comfort to the williams family. SOMETHING!!

K-Mart has made some comments. He said that he saw D-Will at the club, and I think that he said that they briefly spoke to each other. K-Mart and his group left the club before midnight. So it seems that K-Mart may not know what the deal is.

As for K-Mart having his party in that part of town, I don't think that K-Mart put the event on. A lot of these clubs use a big name or some type of promotion to attract people. They probably had some deal with K-Mart to put his name on it. He shows up for a little bit, and then is gone.

From what I've read a number of clubs have popped up in that area of time, and a couple of people have said that it isn't a bad area of town. This really could of happened anywhere.

[theAPAOps5]

I know for a fact the DPD is all over trying to solve this case. My office was given the persons of interest info in case they tried to skip town and we were outright told that this is not public so it doesn't leave our office. Made me feel good that they are making positive strides in the case.

[Dukes]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/nvrsumr/010407suv_o.jpg

Looks like they used sharpies

[theAPAOps5]

K-Mart has made some comments. He said that he saw D-Will at the club, and I think that he said that they briefly spoke to each other. K-Mart and his group left the club before midnight. So it seems that K-Mart may not know what the deal is.

As for K-Mart having his party in that part of town, I don't think that K-Mart put the event on. A lot of these clubs use a big name or some type of promotion to attract people. They probably had some deal with K-Mart to put his name on it. He shows up for a little bit, and then is gone.

From what I've read a number of clubs have popped up in that area of time, and a couple of people have said that it isn't a bad area of town. This really could of happened anywhere.

Its not really a bad part of town at all. Its right across the street from the Gart Sports/Sports Authority Broadway store downtown.

[watermock]

Shes as much of a victim as O.J. Simpson. Let me get this straight...she threatens someone later murdured and is a victim?

Then her husband's SUV, who is in jail for attempted murder and 8.8 pounds of coke, is counted then left by the airport with a 5th class paint over?

They need to throw her in jail too. She knows damn well who did it. I almost guarantee it was the same people that killed the witness.

I'm done grieving I believe...Now I'm intensely angry.

[Hogan11]

I f'n hate all that gang banging shiat...snuffed out over signage, whatta waste.

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

If I've learned anything from watching "The Wire", it's that the bangers either slip up and get arrested or killed from within their own. Just a matter of time, but no one will get away with anything.

[Hogan11]

Gang members are human garbage as far as I'm concerned.

[KipCorrington25]

Cancer-Mart only had one thing to say that being "it is what it is" sort of like how much of a P.O.S. he is, it is what it is.

[chaz]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/nvrsumr/010407suv_o.jpg

Looks like they used sharpies

looks to me like they like to sniff sharpies

[chawknz]

And now they've made an arrest of "a person of interest".

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4958641
Denver police have arrested a man for a parole violation and are questioning him in connection with the shooting of Darrent Williams.

[PatsWin2002]

And now they've made an arrest of "a person of interest".

Yes.... a "person of interest".

That's because they can't call them a "suspect" any more. God forbid they hurt anyone's feelings in a murder investigation.

[Dukes]

looks to me like they like to sniff sharpies

I'm sure they sniffing more expensive and dangerous drugs than permanent ink

[Popps]

looks to me like they like to sniff sharpies

Yea, way to keep it on the DL, guys.

Maybe next time, just fly a giant flag on the top of the car that say "this isn't the murder vehicle."

Of course, they'd have to be able to spell vehicle.

[Meck77]

Gang members are human garbage as far as I'm concerned.

Well according to a local minister who works with gangs that I saw on tv the other day there are 20,000-30,000 of them in Denver. He said back in 85 there were hardly ANY. I had no idea. My guess is that number is probably small compared to alot of other Metro area but that is alarming. He said the difference with gang members today is that many of them are more violent with more to prove these days then they did 10-20 years ago. He also said that most of the gang members he knows are willing to kill over a gang sign being flashed. Unreal.

I guess this guy knows alot of the leaders of the gangs/attends their funerals and such so he is intune with that community. I wish I could remember his name. Maybe someone else saw the interview?

I guess what I'm getting at is as a result of D-wills death alot of attention is being refocused on gang violence. So there is a bit of good coming out of this tragedy.

[COBronco 69]

I guess what I'm getting at is as a result of D-wills death alot of attention is being refocused on gang violence. So there is a bit of good coming out of this tragedy.

Not with todays 10 minute attention span. It would be nice for something to be handled and stick with it until the problem is solved, but in a month or two, this will be forgotten, and it will be on to the next tragedy. It sucks, but thats the way it works these days...

[Popps]

According to state criminal records, a man named Willie Clark with the same date of birth as the man arrested Friday has been arrested more than a dozen times since 1999, mostly for misdemeanors and failing to appear in court. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to motor vehicle theft, a felony, and reckless endangerment.

The record for Willie Clark listed three other dates of birth and several aliases.

Can't we just lock this guy up, either way?

So ****ing tired of this trash.

[KipCorrington25]

Well according to a local minister who works with gangs that I saw on tv the other day there are 20,000-30,000 of them in Denver. He said back in 85 there were hardly ANY. I had no idea. My guess is that number is probably small compared to alot of other Metro area but that is alarming. He said the difference with gang members today is that many of them are more violent with more to prove these days then they did 10-20 years ago. He also said that most of the gang members he knows are willing to kill over a gang sign being flashed. Unreal.

I guess this guy knows alot of the leaders of the gangs/attends their funerals and such so he is intune with that community. I wish I could remember his name. Maybe someone else saw the interview?

I guess what I'm getting at is as a result of D-wills death alot of attention is being refocused on gang violence. So there is a bit of good coming out of this tragedy.

The guy's name is Rev. Leon Kelly. He has been active in this type of capacity for the better part of the last 25 years.

[Meck77]

Not with todays 10 minute attention span. It would be nice for something to be handled and stick with it until the problem is solved, but in a month or two, this will be forgotten, and it will be on to the next tragedy. It sucks, but thats the way it works these days...

Normall I'd agree with this statement but not in this case. I would be very surprised if the Broncos organizations, the players, their charities to not take a big bold step against gang violence. Infact I would be really disapointed if they didn't. Bowlen is running a Billion dollar operation. There is no reason the Broncos can't lead the way for the city of Denver to clean this city up.

WE all need to do our part. I plan on doing mine.

[orange 4 life]

K-Mart has made some comments. He said that he saw D-Will at the club, and I think that he said that they briefly spoke to each other. K-Mart and his group left the club before midnight. So it seems that K-Mart may not know what the deal is.

As for K-Mart having his party in that part of town, I don't think that K-Mart put the event on. A lot of these clubs use a big name or some type of promotion to attract people. They probably had some deal with K-Mart to put his name on it. He shows up for a little bit, and then is gone.

From what I've read a number of clubs have popped up in that area of time, and a couple of people have said that it isn't a bad area of town. This really could of happened anywhere.

thanks for the info jason. i dont know the club (and i didnt look up the address) so i dont know how nice or not nice it is.
i just know the news we all heard which is of course that the club had a rep and that k-marts party was there with over 200 people.

is just sounded kinda irresponsible, though it now sounds like k-mart didnt have much to do with it.
the best way to avoid all that is to rent a place out.

when we had mike andersons b-day party, the whole place was rented out, and there was a guest list outside with security, so if you werent on the list, you werent going into the party.
im sure it cost alot more, but the result was a really nice party with no issues at all.

anyway, thanks for the news. glad to hear k-mart doesnt have any responsibility in the matter.

jake

[Meck77]

The guy's name is Rev. Leon Kelly. He has been active in this type of capacity for the better part of the last 25 years.

Yup thats him. Of all the people I've heard speak about this issue this guy seems to have a better pulse on it than anyone I've heard. http://www.therev.org/ownwords.asp

This is his program against Denver Gang Violence.

http://www.therev.org/

I'm going to do a little more research on him but this is direction I think some donations need to go also. He's going to get some of mine.

[cutthemdown]

K-Mart has made some comments. He said that he saw D-Will at the club, and I think that he said that they briefly spoke to each other. K-Mart and his group left the club before midnight. So it seems that K-Mart may not know what the deal is.

As for K-Mart having his party in that part of town, I don't think that K-Mart put the event on. A lot of these clubs use a big name or some type of promotion to attract people. They probably had some deal with K-Mart to put his name on it. He shows up for a little bit, and then is gone.

From what I've read a number of clubs have popped up in that area of time, and a couple of people have said that it isn't a bad area of town. This really could of happened anywhere.
I wouldn't be suprised if K Mart or some of these other stars at this party know exactly who shot Williams. Remember Carmelo Anthony video spot where they whole time it's thugs talking about not snitching to the police. In the street world being a snitch is worst then being a killer so don't look for any of these players who grew up in the hood to be forthcoming to police. Or if they are forthcoming don't look for that to be made public. This whole story stinks of the old saying you can take the man out of the hood but not the hood out of the man. If his friends/cousins/slash whatever they are flashed gang signs then they basically got Darrent killed. You don't flash gang signs to another gang member unless you want a gunfight. Too bad that Darrent had to be the one who got shot instead of his piece of crap hanger ons that probably got him shot.

[cutthemdown]

Normall I'd agree with this statement but not in this case. I would be very surprised if the Broncos organizations, the players, their charities to not take a big bold step against gang violence. Infact I would be really disapointed if they didn't. Bowlen is running a Billion dollar operation. There is no reason the Broncos can't lead the way for the city of Denver to clean this city up.

WE all need to do our part. I plan on doing mine.

If you're going to help you need a big gun and a shovel. Get busy!!!!!!!!!!

[COBronco 69]

Normall I'd agree with this statement but not in this case. I would be very surprised if the Broncos organizations, the players, their charities to not take a big bold step against gang violence. Infact I would be really disapointed if they didn't. Bowlen is running a Billion dollar operation. There is no reason the Broncos can't lead the way for the city of Denver to clean this city up.

WE all need to do our part. I plan on doing mine.

I sure hope so Meck! It would be great to see the Broncos bulldog this and keep it in the press and work it until its solved. They ARE the only ones that can keep attention on this. Would be a great opportunity to really present some change for Denver and the gang issue as well, as long as its stuck with!!

[bpc]

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4958579

This is rediculous and something must be done to make these murderers pay.

[broncosteven]

If you're going to help you need a big gun and a shovel. Get busy!!!!!!!!!!

Bad attitude man.

A lot of people just need someone there at the right time in their life.

Some of my $ is going his way also.

Don't tell me there wasn't someone there for you at some point in your life. There were people there for me when I needed them.

[Meck77]

Bad attitude man.

A lot of people just need someone there at the right time in their life.

Some of my $ is going his way also.

Don't tell me there wasn't someone there for you at some point in your life. There were people there for me when I needed them.

Right on. I've been waiting to find something or some organization I could latch onto to try and make a small difference on Darrent's behalf. I feel this is the one for me based on what I heard him say and the edorsements his program has ex. Several mayors, United way, Denver Police Chief to name a few. That is good enough for me.

I think it's important to fight problems at the core and in this case it's children and that seems to be the focus here.

I'm going to call Reverend Kelly next week when some of the dust settles and see what he needs. This is the link from the site that says how you can help.

http://www.therev.org/Frames.asp

How You Can Help Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives

Open Door is a not-for-profit, community-based, non-law enforcement organization. As such, it depends solely on the donations from private individuals, corporations and foundations. We are extremely grateful to those in our community who share our vision of helping to curb gang-related violence and gang recruitment activities in the Denver Metro area.

Although we are realistic about the incredible size of the problem, we know that every life we touch is a step closer to the solution. You can help us change a life. Change a neighborhood. Change the direction of the next generation. It is not too big a problem when we work together to save one kid at a time.

A financial contribution from you or your company can help us provide more viable alternatives and activities for members and potential members. We will also gladly accept donations of services, equipment or monthly pledges and donations of time and energy. To contact Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives:

1615 California #712, Denver, CO 80202
893-GANG (4264)
FAX 893-4208
1-800-ASK-GANG (275-4264)

Volunteer Opportunities

After School Programs - Please help mentor our elementary school children between 3:30-5:30 pm Monday through Thursday.

* Be a good adult role model
* Help them with homework assignments
* Laugh and play with them
* Make a difference in their lives.

Mondays throug Thursday - 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Wyatt Edison Charter School
3620 Franklin Denver CO 80205-4730
Phone: 303-292-5515

Youth Resource Unit

The Youth Resource Unit consists of four to six young adults recruited from within the community served by Open Door. The primary function of the unit will be to serve as an extension of the After School and Summer Program reaching out to the families of the children Open Door serves in an effort to identify problems away from school that could lead to gang involvement or other negative activities. They will also be responsible for reaching out and following up on youth that were involved with Open Door but have moved on to middle school.

These resource leaders will have either grown up surrounded by gang activity or have actual experiences in gang involvement and have made admirable progress overcoming these negative influences and in changing their lifestyles.

The Youth Resource Unit will function as a team in order to achieve the programmatic goals set forth by Open Door. All members of the unit will participate in an orientation and training period to ensure that they understand clearly the policies and procedures governing all staff of Open Door. They will also receive training on relationship building and intervention strategies.

All members of the unit will assist with the After School and Summer Programs.

* They will become acquainted with all of the children in an effort to develop strong relationships and rapport.
* They will do home visits and maintain positive communications between the families. Unit members will be available to partner with Rev. Kelly when necessary to stifle potential violence or confrontations.
* They will also serve as monitors for crowd control at special events, such as the Juneteenth celebration and the Martin Luther King (MLK) day parade.
* Lastly, they will partner with Rev. Kelly or other staff members to do group presentations for schools, service clubs, churches, and other venues.

For more information on getting involved with this program, please call 303-893-4264.


Parent and guardian volunteer opportunities

# Wish List - (What we could use) Computer equipment
# Sporting goods
# After school reading material - grade levels K-8
# After school activities material (arts and crafts)
# Used automobiles for Cool Cars program