Richard "Babyface" Jameswhite
Background and Early Violence
Richard Jameswhite was a Brooklyn gang member and fugitive gunman who became known by the nickname "Babyface" because of his youthful appearance, short stature, and slight build. Born in 1973, Jameswhite was still a teenager when police began associating him with shootings, robberies, gang disputes, and drug-related violence in New York City. Authorities eventually described him as an exceptionally dangerous offender who was willing to open fire with little provocation.
Jameswhite's documented violence began after his brother, Glester Jameswhite, was killed on a street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, in January 1991. Richard reportedly believed that 19-year-old Kevin Smith had participated in his brother's death. On February 19, 1991, Jameswhite allegedly shot Smith in an act of retaliation. Smith survived, and Jameswhite was arrested for attempted murder. However, he was released on bail and fled rather than appear in court.
After becoming a fugitive, Jameswhite associated with the Parkside Gang, a Brooklyn group that operated near the southern end of Prospect Park. Police said members of the gang committed robberies, targeted drug dealers, and became involved in violent disputes over drugs, money, and loyalty. Jameswhite's reputation for sudden and unpredictable gunfire made him feared even by people within his own criminal circle.
The Brooklyn Murder Series
Between 1992 and 1993, New York investigators linked Jameswhite to a succession of fatal shootings in Brooklyn. Some appeared to involve gang rivalries or revenge, while others were connected to disputes within the drug trade. Police publicly identified five men killed during this period and later sought Jameswhite in connection with a sixth Brooklyn homicide.
On March 29, 1992, 22-year-old Javier Avila was shot and killed in Brooklyn. Investigators identified Jameswhite as the suspected gunman. Several months later, on August 24, 1992, 27-year-old Omark Dee was fatally shot. Police again attributed the killing to Jameswhite as his reputation for armed violence continued to grow.
On January 6, 1993, 21-year-old Fitzroy Reid was killed in another Brooklyn shooting connected to Jameswhite. By this time, Jameswhite had been avoiding capture for nearly two years. Detectives circulated information about him among other police departments because he was known to travel outside New York when authorities came close to finding him.
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