Tuesday, May 27, 2003 | 10:57 a.m.
Metro Police are searching for a 20-year-old man suspected of killing three teenage boys early today in an apartment on East Charleston Boulevard near Fremont Street.
Glenford Anthony Budd, also known as "A.I.," was seen leaving the downtown Saratoga Palms East II apartment complex after the shooting, which occurred minutes after midnight, Lt. Tom Monahan said.
Homicide detectives believe the shooting could be drug-related.
"It's pointing that way," Monahan said. "We were able to rule out gang affiliation."
Gang unit officers who were patroling the area heard gunfire coming from the complex, located at 2895 E. Charleston Blvd. They found the victims shot multiple times in different places in an apartment. Paramedics pronounced two of the victims dead at the scene, and the third victim died about 5 a.m. at University Medical Center.
This morning it was not clear who lived in the apartment or if Budd knew the victims.
"We don't know for sure who the dead guys are yet," Monahan said.
Cliff Sweney was watching television in a friend's apartment at Saratoga Palms East when he heard the shots.
"I just heard a series of gunshots that sounded like they really cut loose," he said. "From what people have told me this kind of thing happens here fairly often."
The three victims used to play basketball in the court at the apartment complex, a neighbor said.
"It ain't anything different than usual," said the neighbor, who didn't want his name used. "I think its getting hotter and as it does, it's just going to get crazier over here."
The manager of the property refused to comment when asked about crime in the complex.
Budd is described as a light-skinned black man, 5 feet 3 inches tall with an average build. He has shoulder-length braided hair, a thin mustache and was last seen wearing a red jersey, blue jeans and a doo-rag on his head.
Monahan said it's not clear if Budd left the apartments on foot or in a vehicle.
"Budd is considered armed and dangerous, and citizens should call the police immediately if he is spotted," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or the homicide unit at 229-3521.
The three deaths this morning raised the homicide total to 53 for the year to date in Metro's jurisdiction. That compares with 64 homicides through the end of May 2002, according to the Metro website.
Sun reporter
Jace Radke contributed to this story.
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