“Forty Ball” Fatally Shot During Police Operation in Westmoreland

Grange Hill, Westmoreland — A man alleged to be a senior figure in two of western Jamaica’s most violent criminal networks — the Kings Valley and Speculation gangs — was fatally shot by members of the security forces during an early morning operation in Westmoreland on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as 28-year-old Romaine Murray, otherwise known as Bartez or Forty Ball. According to police sources, Murray was a high-ranking operative for the Kings Valley Gang, acting on behalf of its incarcerated leader, Derval “Lukie” Williams, and was also deeply involved with the Speculation Gang.

Law enforcement officials say the incident occurred shortly after 5:30 a.m. in the Jerusalem Mountain area of Grange Hill, where a joint security team was executing a search warrant at a two-apartment board house. During the operation, Murray reportedly attempted to flee the premises while brandishing a firearm. The police say he pointed the weapon at them, prompting a confrontation in which he was shot.

He was transported to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A firearm was reportedly recovered from the scene, and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has launched a probe into the incident, as per protocol.

Police intelligence links Murray to a long list of violent crimes across western Jamaica, including murders, contract killings, kidnappings, and gun-running. He was out on bail for the 2024 murder of Devantae “Wacky” Brown and was required to report to the Savanna-la-Mar Police Station twice weekly. Investigators also named him as a key suspect in the recent May 8 abduction of a Hanover teacher.

In that case, the woman was forcibly taken from her vehicle in Pell River, Hanover, by three armed men. Later that day, a police operation led to a deadly confrontation at the premises where she was being held. Two of the abductors — Kevin Gordon, 21, and Christopher Williams, 27, both of Savanna-la-Mar — were fatally shot, and two illegal firearms were seized. Gordon was also on bail for a 2023 murder.

“Murray was the most trusted trigger man in the Kings Valley Gang,” a senior police source told the Observer. “He handled logistics and was Lukie’s man on the ground since the gang leader was imprisoned. He was a major violence producer.”

The source further revealed that while Murray had only been charged in one murder case, investigators had evidence linking him to at least four additional homicides and multiple shootings. However, those cases had not yet progressed to formal charges.

Investigations are ongoing.