POLICE, RESIDENTS NERVOUS IN WAKE OF SLAYING OF TOP NORTH RICHMOND DEALER

RICHMOND, California -- Richmond police and residents are afraid a gang war
is brewing after the slaying of a notorious North Richmond drug dealer.

Shawn Morris was shot several times with an assault rifle yesterday.
Authorities say he was either driving or getting into his car when the
killer opened fire.

There have been no arrests.

Police say Morris was a top figure in the West County drug trade. He
tightened his grip on the market after Toriano Young was jailed for killing
a rival dealer.

Police say they are now concerned that lesser drug dealers will launch a
wave of violence as they try to fill the vacuum created by the death of Morris.

Police investigator Mark Harrison says Morris was one of the top dealers in
western Contra Costa County. He says Morris was clearly the target and it
was not a random shooting.

(Contra Costa Times)