Tulisa's Friend, 21, Shot Dead In Gangland Hit

Reece James, 21, a close friend of Tulisa Contostavlos has been shot dead in a reported gangland attack. The 21-year-old, who appeared with Tulisa in a video for rapper Nines, was shot in the head in a "pre-planned and targeted" hit, 100 miles from his home in London, reports the UK's Sun newspaper. Police found James' body in Boscombe, Bournemouth, at around 2.30am near where Somali drug gangs are said operate. A 22-year-old man was arrested. Reece was said to have been in the area with some friends for "a couple of months", though had filmed the video earlier this month with Tulisa and rapper Nines on the Church End Estate in Harlesden, North West London. The former N Dubz star caused controversy at the time, making a "C" symbol to the camera - the same sign that is used by Harlesden's notorious Church Road Soldiers gang. Tulisa claimed it was a reference to Camden, where she was born. Twitter tributes began flooding in last night, with one user writing, "RIP Reece James. Thoughts are with him and his family and friends". Local MP Tobias Ellwood described the killing as "a spill over from the drugs turf war in the capital", adding, "This was one London gang chasing down another, carrying out a professional hit and then going back".

Cecil Mulkey, 19, and James Ashley, 21, identified as leaders of the 8th Street Boyz gang were arrested on federal drug and weapons charges

Cecil Mulkey, 19, and James Ashley, 21, identified as leaders of the 8th Street Boyz gang were arrested on federal drug and weapons charges. Aarmon “Murda Mook” Askew, 21, a top member and enforcer of the X.Y.I.D. Bloods set was also picked up on federal drug and weapons charg.A third 8th Street Boyz member, Howard Welch, 18, was arrested and charged in connection with a Saturday morning shoot-out in the 3000 block of Pine Avenue.The 8th Street Boyz, who are affiliated with the notorious Crips street gang, and the local Bloods set are believed to be locked in a battle over the city’s lucrative pot trade.“We are developing more information each day and I expect more arrests,” the police superintendent said.Chella also announced that police will increase their presence on the city’s streets by increasing the number of officers assigned to the RAC Unit and joining forces with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, the New York State Police, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and state and county parole and probation officers.“We will work with our partners in law enforcement,” Chella said. “We are going to get this under control. Those who don’t want to abide by society’s rules will pay a steep price.”The new RAC officers will work in plainclothes and unmarked cars and will be on the streets at varying times of the day and week.
Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour said he had instructed his patrol deputies working in the towns of Niagara and Wheatfield to be prepared to respond to trouble in the Falls if necessary.“We’re close by and ready to do what we need to do to help,” Voutour said.Chella said uniformed police patrols are also likely to be increased and he said Mayor Paul Dyster had approved the use of additional overtime money to pay for added cops on the streets.“We want to make sure our posse is bigger (than the street gangs),” Dyster said.
The mayor also asked for help from parents and the community.“Don’t let your kid make the bad guy’s posse bigger,” the mayor said. “Keep your kids from being part of the problem.”The newly sworn-in United State Attorney for the Western District of New York, William Hochul, said his prosecutors were ready to join in the gang fight by using federal racketeering laws and tough sentencing guidelines. He pointed to the break-up of violent street gangs in Buffalo over the last 20 years as the model for what can be done in the Falls.
“The beginning of the end of street violence in the Falls has begun,” Hochul said. Niagara County District Attorney Michael Violante said gang members charged with state crimes can expect a tough time in court.
“They want attention,” Violante said, “Well, they will get all the attention we can give them in prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.”Chella said the increased patrol activity has already started.

Dominic Anderson, 22, and Abdullah Omar, 21, are charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder in the beating of 19-year-old Raymond Woodland

Dominic Anderson, 22, and Abdullah Omar, 21, are charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder in the beating of 19-year-old Raymond Woodland, who is accused of shooting their friend in the face during an argument at a birthday party at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel.According to charging documents, Anderson wrestled a TEC-9 semiautomatic firearm away from Woodland, then stood on the bed and struck him repeatedly with it in the face and head while Omar held him in a "sleeper hold." Omar was accidentally struck in the temple during the altercation, and both men stayed on the scene with their friend until police arrived.
Police said Anderson and Omar, who each have a handful of minor arrests but no convictions, face serious charges because they went too far. But at a bail review hearing Monday, a District judge disagreed and did not require the men to post bond, releasing them on their own recognizance. Woodland was in critical condition at Maryland Shock Trauma Center with "severe life-threatening head trauma," charging documents say. If he recovers and is released from the hospital, police said he will face attempted murder charges in the shooting of 19-year-old Marquis Johnson.

Gilbert Solano, a 21-year-old Latino, died of a gunshot wound to the chest on Tuesday

Gilbert Solano, a 21-year-old Latino, died of a gunshot wound to the chest on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in the 6600 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
Solano got into an argument with someone from a rival gang, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The man Solano was arguing with went to his car, got a gun, shot him once in the chest and drove away, police said.
Police have no description of the suspect or vehicle and are calling the killing gang-related.