Denver police get warrant to search SUV in Williams murder

Hicks, 28, has been jailed since Nov. 9 on a charge of possessing drugs with intent to distribute. He also is accused of shooting at a woman who was later killed a week before she was to testify against him.

Hicks was in custody the day of the shooting, but police want to know who was using the vehicle in the early morning hours of New Year's Day.

Hicks, who didn't respond to a jail interview request by the AP, has been called a gang member by prosecutors. Police, however, won't say whether they believe the Williams slaying had any gang involvement.

"Who killed this individual is what matters, it doesn't matter if it's gang related or some guy in a business suit," police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.

Denver Crime Stoppers is offering its standard cash reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. Jackson said tips are continuing to come into the department.

"I think the community is outraged by what took place here," Jackson said. "I think that's why the people are coming forth and giving us information. I don't think they want to tolerate this kind of thing."

Still, he said, more help is needed "because somebody knows who was in this vehicle and who was driving it."

But the Rev. Leon Kelly, who helps Denver area teenagers escape gangs and drugs, suggested the specter of gang involvement might silence anybody with key information.

"You don't want the bad guys to win, but if you do the right thing, what do you get?" Kelly said. "Two thousand dollars? That's not even enough to take care of your funeral."

Paul Martin, pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church, who is helping organize an anti-violence rally and candlelight vigil Friday at the site of the slaying, said fear of retribution would hinder the investigation.

"It's a very strong code of silence," Martin said. "That's what we're concerned about in Mr. Williams' death. There's someone out there who knows who did it and we have to break that code of silence. It's immoral not to come forward."