Americans gang leader gunned down

By Jurina nkwazi
17 August 2010

A leading member of the Americans gang was gunned down in Athlone on Monday.

Oscar Williams was soon rushed to a hospital, where he died hours later.

He was approached by two men who pulled out a shotgun that hit Williams in the abdominal area.

"They were walking one in front of the other in an attempt to conceal the gun and when they reached him, the guy at the back pulled out what looked to be a shotgun and fired a single shot that hit the person in the abdominal area," said Athlone police spokesman Warrant Officer Ian Bennett.

The two men fled the scene but were arrested shortly after the shooting. One of the suspects was released on parole on Friday and is a member of the Playboys gang.

Williams was in the area to pick up his wife. They were on there way to the mechanic.

Police fear a war between the Americans and the Playboys might erupt and are now patrolling the area.

The suspects will appear in the Athlone Magistrate's Court this week. They face charges of murder and the illegal possession of a gun and ammunition.