David ‘Rolex’ King, a notorious enforcer in the Essex criminal underworld, was brutally executed in a ππ½πΈπΈππΎππ daytime drive-by shooting. On October 3, 2003, King, 6’3″ and 18 stone of muscle, was gunned down outside a gym in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, in a meticulously planned attack that left the community reeling.
The chilling scene unfolded as King exited the Physical Limits Gym with his minder, Ian Crocker. A white transit van approached, and in a matter of seconds, 26 rounds from an AK-47 πΆπππΆπππ rifle erupted, striking King multiple times. Witnesses described the chaos as sounding like a war zone, with bullets ricocheting off nearby cars and tearing through the gym walls.
This was no random act of violence; it was a calculated assassination executed in broad daylight. The attackers, later identified as Roger Vincent and David Smith, had meticulously planned the hit, using a military-grade weapon typically associated with the most violent conflicts.
King’s criminal history was extensive. He had deep ties to the Essex Boys, a notorious gang that ruled the πΉπππ trade in the 1990s. Following the murder of his mentor, Tony Tucker, King navigated a treacherous underworld landscape, aligning himself with the Canning Town Firm, a violent crew linked to football hooliganism.
Just days before his death, King had been warned about threats to his life stemming from a botched πΉπππ deal. He had been seen wearing a bulletproof vest, a precaution that ultimately proved futile against the firepower of his assailants.
The aftermath of the shooting revealed critical mistakes made by the killers. A discarded glove containing Smith’s palm print was found near the crime scene, and DNA traces on the AK-47 linked both men to the crime. Their digital footprints also led police to their doorsteps, unraveling a web of deceit and violence.
In the following days, both Vincent and Smith were arrested, facing justice for their roles in this heinous act. The courts responded with severe sentences, reflecting the gravity of using military-grade weapons on civilian streets. Vincent received a life sentence with a minimum of 30 years, while Smith was handed 25 years.
The brutal execution of David King sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the ongoing violence within the British criminal underworld. As police continue to investigate, the lingering questions remain: How did a military weapon end up on the streets of the UK, and what will become of the criminal factions that continue to operate in the shadows?
This incident underscores the urgent need for justice and the relentless pursuit of those who perpetuate such violence. The memory of that fateful day in Hoddesdon will not fade easily, as the community grapples with the reality of gangland warfare erupting in broad daylight.