HOUSTON-
A Houston man is charged or suspected in at least seven homicides in 11 weeks stemming from what authorities describe as a war between entrenched Houston drug dealers and their newly arrived rivals from New Orleans.
Antonio Lee Williams, 26, who is known on the street as “Tony,” “T” and “T-Lee”, was arrested Sept. 23 and is charged in connection with several of the killings with capital murder, murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt described Williams as one of the most brutal killers he has come across in his career.
“It’s difficult to fathom, even for a person who’s been in law enforcement for nearly 40 years,” Hurtt said at a news conference Thursday.
Investigators say Williams’ killing spree began June 16, only 23 days after his release from prison, where he had served nearly two years on a drug conviction. By Sept. 1, police say, Williams had shot at least eight people, killing seven, all but one within the same two blocks of northwest Houston.
Homicide investigator Sgt. Bobby Roberts said the killings were the result of a turf war between Houston-based drug dealers operating in apartment projects in the area and Katrina evacuees trying to take over the business.
The first killing followed an altercation between Williams and 33-year-old Dion Barnes, in which Barnes was shot and killed, authorities said. A month later, Christopher Harris, a 15-year-old Hurricane Katrina evacuee described by police as being involved with drugs, got into an argument with Williams and Williams’ friend, Terrell “T-Rock” Ball, 26, officials said. Harris was shot and killed later that night.
Two weeks later, police say, Williams fired 30 rounds from an assault rifle at Katrina evacuees Vincent Williams, 18, and 22-year-old Yolanda Styles.
And on Sept. 1, police say Williams shot and killed Ball after accusing him of cooperating with police investigating the Harris shooting. Roberts said Ball had not been cooperating with police.
Roberts said Williams has confessed to the Barnes killing but has refused to talk with investigators about other cases. It was not clear Thursday whether Williams had an attorney.
Police described other incidents in which they say Williams assaulted and intimidated residents of the area and said they are investigating his suspected involvement in two other killings.
Houston has experienced a significant increase in violent crime in the year since more than 100,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees fled to Houston. Many Houstonians and officials have blamed much of that increase on Katrina evacuees.
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