The man making those arrests was the second in charge of Eastern Division, Senior Superintendent Chester Williams witnessed the murder. Today he related to the press the extraordinary story of what he saw and what he did.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, Deputy Commander - Eastern Division
"Well Jules its always good to be at the right place at the right time."
And that's where Senior Superintendent Chester Williams was on Saturday morning just before 8:000 am as he drove here on Curassow Street - when he saw a murder unfold right before his eyes.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"My attention was drawn to what sounded to me like gunshots being fired. I immediately looked straight up ahead and saw a gold looking brand Cherokee parked on the eastern side of Curassow Street in front of Universal Health Services which is at the corner of Gibnut and Curassow Street. And upon doing so I saw two male persons armed with what appeared to be handguns firing several shots inside the vehicle. As I approached closer I was able to recognize these two individuals."
He recognized them as Clinton and Jodie Gentle - and saw them run off in this direction. He followed them in his personal vehicle until he got here one block away.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"Coming down Antelope Street towards Curassow I saw both male persons ran out of the yard and they entered into a red Chevy Tracker which was parked waiting for them. And as they were about to drive off I parked my vehicle right in front of theirs, blocking them in, and myself and police constable 1082 Arzu who was in my company, came out of the vehicle, we were both armed with our firearms, and we held them up, forced them out of the vehicle at gunpoint, they were placed to lie down on the street.
I was not basically concerned Jules. I am a police officer, I am sworn to uphold the laws of our country, to protect life and property, and if it takes me being shot in the line of my duty, that is what I am here to do and at the same time too I ensure that I had the situation under control. I just told my fellow officer not to panic because at the end of the day we don't want to shoot anyone who we don't have to shoot to have to answer unnecessary queries."
They cooperated with police and a search of the vehicles and the drain nearby turned up a 9 millimeter and a 38 pistol. The man driving the vehicle was Lester Young - son of reputed kingpin James Young. His presence is key for police as they determine a motive.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"Well we know that sometime earlier this year Alpheus Smith was charged
for the shooting of Mr. James Young and one of the persons in this incident happens to be Lester Young, who is the son of James Young so that could be a possible motive."
A motive for what looks like a well orchestrated early morning execution.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"From the investigation, we found out that vehicle in which these three individuals were, had passed by at least like twice before the other individuals came back to do what they did so they were monitoring Smith's movements."
And so with the Smith's affiliation with George Street and James Young associated with Back-A-Town, is the stage now set for a another series retaliation?
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"We are anticipating a retaliation. From the incident occurred on Saturday,
we've anticipated a retaliation and we've put mechanisms in place to try and prevent any sort of retaliations. We plan to meet very shortly with the two groups and see if we could arrive at a amicable solution between both of them. At the end of the day, yes, a life is lost and that cannot be replaced but what the people from George Street need to understand is that yes, a life is lost and that concerns them, but the police have the matter under control, we are investigating, we have the persons responsible in custody, let justice take its course. Do not take the law in your hands. At the end of the day, they will be the ones to face the music and we are not running any joke, as they fire the guns, we will vigorously pursuing them to ensure that they are brought to justice likewise."
For Alpheus Smith's father, who is Alpheus Sr. a resident of Gales Point who came to town to find his son dead - all this is a bit much.
Alpheus Smith Sr., Father
"Junie is a boy that, I mean he is a very loving kid, we get along pretty good. I tried to share with I had with him and give him the best of what I know, to let him take my foot steps but the young generation now, and the way things are going, it is hard to say what is going on. I cannot say that he was in any kind of gang related stuff because I always talked to him and asked him questions. I never heard anything like that."
Now police say they have enough evidence to try these men for murder.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"I can safely say that the evidence that we have at this time is sufficient to put three persons before a court of law for trial for murder and the jurors will decide at the end of the day."
And for all those family members of Smith, who doubt that Williams will take the case seriously, because they claim he works in James Young's interests, this is what Chester Williams had to say.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"I can categorically say to anybody that I have no reason to be affiliated with James Young. I am paid handsomely by the Police Department. I have no reason at all to be associated with that individual. I am here to do my job and whatever any member of any group commits themselves, I will be sure they are dealt with because I have nothing to hide. I don't owe nobody nothing."
Williams and Officer Commanding Eastern Division Allan Whylie also discussed random gunfire that was heard throughout the weekend, particularly in the George Street area. Police say that no arrests were made but they insist the shots were not related to the Smith killing.
