linked to a violent American drug gang.

Police claim Clifton Derwin Badgett -- accused of pumping two bullets into Jay Willis Holmes -- is a senior member of Washington crack-selling crew the 58th Street Mob.

And they say the 19-year-old was out on bond and awaiting trial on a weapons charge at the time of last month's drive-by shooting in Washington DC.

Badgett, from the 5800 block of Southern Avenue SE, Washington, was indicted this week on a murder charge.

He is also accused of attempting to murder Donald Hansburry and Ellis Tanner Solomon.

In addition, he faces three allegations of using handguns and two of first degree assault.

The indictment on the eight felony counts by a grand jury occurred on Tuesday in Prince George's County, Washington.

Special assistant to the State's Attorney for Prince George's County, Ms Paula Burr, said Badgett would have to be arraigned within 30 days of the indictment. A trial date would then be set.

"He will plead at the arraignment,'' she told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

Mr. Holmes, 27, of Capitol Heights, Washington DC, was a dental assistant who had graduated from Howard University.

He was the only son of Mrs. Cynthia Bean Holmes, formerly of North Shore, Pembroke, and her late American husband after whom he was named.

Although legally an American citizen, Mr. Holmes had taken steps to finalise his Bermudian naturalisation rights through his mom's status.

Born in Washington DC on June 11, 1970, he lived in Capitol Heights with his mother and a sister, but visited Bermuda regularly.

Mr. Holmes, said to have dreamed of opening a dental practice in Bermuda, died on January 18. A funeral service was held at St. Paul AME Church in Hamilton.

On Wednesday The Washington Post said the incident occurred when Mr. Holmes and two friends were heading home after an evening in Georgetown and at a Wisconsin Avenue pool hall.

They passed an Amoco gas station in Seat Pleasant, when the driver noticed a white Lincoln Continental pulling onto the road. He honked his horn once, maybe twice, as a precaution.

"Moments later, he was speeding to the nearest hospital, his friend bleeding to death on the seat beside him,'' The Washington Post said.

"Without warning, less than two miles from the gas station, the man behind the wheel of the Continental had pulled up alongside them, aimed and fired several times.'' Holmes was hit by two bullets and died at hospital that morning.

State's Attorney Jack B. Johnson described the slaying as an "awful murder...this guy was looking for an excuse to kill somebody,'' The Washington Post reported.

Badgett and three other teenagers were arrested about a week after the shooting, the paper added.

Prosecutors, however, have dropped charges against Badgett's companions, aged between 16 and 19.

The paper -- taking advantage of Press freedoms which are greater in America than in Bermuda -- cited statements Badgett and the other teenagers gave to Police.

In them, they said they stopped at the Amoco station to get snacks. As they were leaving Badgett was forced to stop suddenly to avoid hitting the white Chevrolet Cavalier carrying Holmes.

"I'm gonna get them (expletive),'' Badgett shouted before following the car to Central Avenue and Pepper Mill Drive, according to court records, The Washington Post said. Less than a block from Holmes' home, Badgett fired several shots and drove away, Police reportedly said.

The Washington Post said Holmes visited relatives in Bermuda over the holidays and dreamed of returning to open a dental practice. The paper said Holmes loved the Bermudian weather and worried about his safety in the Washington area.

BERMUDIAN BDA