KINGSTON, Jamaica — Observer Online sources are reporting that slain One Order Gang leader Othniel “Thickman” Lobban was a key figure in Jamaica’s criminal underworld with influence in several sections of the island.

“His violent nature and strategic influence made him a significant threat to law and order, with direct involvement in orchestrating multiple murders and maintaining control over several communities through fear and extortion,” one source said hours after it was confirmed that Lobban had been fatally shot in an alleged confrontation with members of the police Joint Anti-Gang Task Force (JAGTF) at Six Miles in St Andrew about 10:30 pm on Wednesday.

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According to the sources, Lobban had extensive involvement in shootings, extortion, and the enforcement of gang dominance in areas like Eltham Park, Jobs Lane, Cedar Valley and James Mountain in St Catherine and sections of Mountain View Avenue in St Andrew.

He reportedly had a history of orchestrated killings and dominance over key communities that positioned him as a dangerous and influential figure in Jamaica’s criminal landscape.

“Lobban leveraged his leadership of the One Order Gang to orchestrate hits on rivals and collect extortion money. He had the ability to instill fear in communities which allowed him to dominate territories and eliminate opposition,” said another source.

The police had linked Lobban to the May 27, 2024 killing of Orville Reid on Wallen Avenue in Portmore, St Catherine.

Before that he was linked to the July 26, 2023 fatal shooting of Anthony Harris otherwise called “Tony Meng” in Hill Run, Spanish Town and the 2023 murders of Andre Dixon alias “Rum Blacks” and Ricardo Gardener better known as “Jah Jah” in Spanish Town.

In 2016, Lobban was among several men arrested and charged for being part of a criminal organisation but that case fizzled.

He was also freed of charges in 2021 after a key eyewitness repeatedly failed to turn up for an identification parade.

“Despite being processed and released by law enforcement, Lobban remained a person of interest and an active player in orchestrating violence and organised crime causing the police to place him on the most wanted list,” added the source.