POLICE in Westmoreland are being urged to be extra vigilant, on or off duty, as cronies of slain gangster Nicholas “Evil” Ruben could be seeking to avenge his death.

Ruben, who was facing charges relating to five murders, was fatally shot in an alleged confrontation with members of a police team in St Elizabeth on Wednesday and a Berretta 9mm pistol with five 9mm cartridges reportedly taken from his body.

Following the shooting, reports have surfaced that members of the Delete Squad, a criminal gang operating out of Westmoreland, which Ruben was a major player in, have placed targets on the heads of members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Jamaica Observer sources say the gangsters, who are believed to be behind several killings in the parish, are livid that one of their high-ranking members had been killed by the police.

“The death of Ruben raises several concerns for the police and the volatile communities within the Savanna-la-Mar police locale. The fact that he was recognised as a top shotta in the Delete Squad gang speaks to this authority and given respect that would drive his cronies to target police officers in reprisal for his death,” said the sources.

According to the sources, in May the police thwarted a plot by members of the Delete Squad to kill a senior member of the force who they felt targeted them in several operations.

Among those reportedly targeted by the cops was Ruben who was out on bail, and who had been linked to several murders.

The sources say the Delete Squad gang is involved in a major feud with Dalling Street gang and Ruben, who was believed to be one of the main enforcers for the Delete Squad, was hell bent on killing one of his rivals whose father he blamed for a murder.

“Ruben’s influence within the gang was significant, and he played a major role in orchestrating and perpetrating acts of violence, including multiple murders and shootings,” a source told the Observer.

“He was facing five murder charges, had been acquitted of one, and was implicated in at least one more,” the source noted.

Ruben was charged for the murder of Kovan Wedderburn committed on May 9, 2022 about 8:45 pm at Prezzi Shop on Dalling Street, Savanna-la-Mar.

He was also charged for the double murder of Rosemarie Wilson and Robert Pilliner on January 29, 2014 and the fatal shooting of Demar Walker and Kemar Barrtett on February 19, 2016.

In addition, Ruben was acquitted in the Westmoreland Circuit Court on June 17, 2021 due to lack of evidence after he was charged for the murder of St Patrick Maxwell, better known as Matthew, which was committed on January 3, 2013.

“Evil was also implicated in the murder of Dominick Poyser committed on Friday, June 16, 2023, about 2:00 am, in Shaolin District, Savanna-la-Mar,” noted the source.

“His death in a confrontation with the police has brought to light the complexities surrounding gang-related violence and its implications for the communities in which they occupy. Ruben’s position as a major influencer and violence producer within the Delete Squad highlights his active involvement in criminal activities.

“His dominance and influence within the gang contributed to the escalation of conflicts and tensions in the Westmoreland Division,” the source added.

In the wake of the fatal shooting of Ruben on Wednesday, acting head of the St Elizabeth police Superintendent Coleridge Minto noted that there are several people, who when charged for serious offences, have given St Elizabeth addresses to the courts.

Minto pointed out that these people are being monitored and are required to report to various police stations as a condition of their bail.

“We are keeping a close eye on persons residing in the parish, who have serious matters before the court,” said Minto.