DRUG VENDETTA BLAMED IN SLAYING

A drug and money-fuelled vendetta is likely behind the deadly
shooting by a gunman who opened fire on a group of partygoers,
killing one and wounding four others last weekend.

Rumours that the dead man -- Abdullah "Stylez" Hussein -- was
involved in the criminal underworld of the violent Clippers gang may
explain why shots were fired during a southeast community hall dance
party early Sunday morning.

But investigators aren't speculating past the obvious fact that the
shooting stemmed from the deadly drug trade.

"We believe that this murder itself is the result of a vendetta for
past dealings in a high-risk lifestyle involving drug dealing and
violence as a way of life," said Insp. Shaun Gissing with the gang unit.

"This isn't a gang war. It was a targeted shooting. Very definitely a
vendetta is what caused this. These guys are affiliated to organized
crime. It's another symptom of that lifestyle."

Police say Hussein, 21, had a criminal past and was known to police.

An autopsy is scheduled for today.

Police were called to the Albert Park Radisson Heights Community
Centre, at 1310 28th St. S.E., Sunday at 3:20 a.m. when revellers
reported gunfire.

When police arrived, they found Hussein dead and another man hit.
Three others were hit by stray bullets. One of them was found with a
gunshot wound in a nearby field, but declined medical treatment.
Another person called police around 4 a.m. to say he'd been shot.

Police have no one in custody and did not speculate on whether the
shooting was planned or spontaneous.

On Aug. 29, 2006, a Clippers associate, Tyrone Walker, was shot dead
outside the Island Roots Cafe in Victoria Park. The killing is unsolved.

Last year, a 10-month investigation into the Clippers, called
Operation Barbershop, resulted in 150 drug and weapons charges
against 19 people.

The group has a history of gun violence. They have an ongoing dispute
with a gang in Edmonton, sources have told the Herald.

On June 18, 2006, there was a similar community hall party shooting
resulting in one man being hit by up to eight bullets.

A single shooter opened fire during a dance at the Marlborough
Community Association facility shortly after 3 a.m.