Cops celebrate conviction of reputed Clarendon gangster 'Avatar'

Devon Blair, known more widely as 'Avatar', a man the police claim is a dangerous gangster, was convicted on Thursday of gun-related charges, setting off celebrations among cops in Clarendon.

Blair pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and two counts of shooting with intent in the Manchester Circuit Court, abruptly ending his trial which began before Justice Judith Pusey on Monday.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 29.

Three previous gun-related charges against him collapsed because witnesses refused to cooperate with authorities, law enforcement sources disclosed.

“When the police [in Clarendon] heard that he was convicted, dem rushed to the court house because dem couldn't believe it. They were celebrating,” said one police source.

“He is one of Clarendon's most notorious gangsters,” claimed the source.

Prosecutors, Natalie Malcolm, deputy director of public prosecutions, and Sean Nelson, were prepared to lead evidence that 'Avatar' engaged members of a police team in a fierce gun battle when they attempted to arrest him at a house on Bailey's Avenue, in Clarendon, on April 15, 2021.

He was apprehended when he reportedly jumped from a second-floor window to escape cops and was injured.

Two illegal guns were seized at the scene, one of which had his DNA on the trigger, according to evidence in the possession of prosecutors.

- Livern Barrett

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