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Drug dealer may have ordered hit on O’Riley
– alleged gunman, associate, still in custody, third man being sought – source
A known drug dealer may have organized the execution of former robbery accused O’Riley Small, who was gunned down in the yard of his Smyth Street home last Saturday.
That’s the theory detectives are following, even as they continue to question the alleged gunman and one of his associates.
Kaieteur News understands that police were up to yesterday still trying to locate the alleged mastermind.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum would only confirm that a third man is being sought, while declining to comment on a possible motive for the killing.
But there were indications last night that charges could be instituted soon against the man suspected of pumping ten bullets into Small. The suspect, employed as an armed guard at a popular night spot, was detained after a hoodie that appeared to be similar to the gunman’s was retrieved from his car.
His hands were also reportedly swabbed for possible evidence of gunpowder residue. An associate of the suspect was also held. Small was said to have also worked at the same night spot.
Small, 31, of Lot 2 Smyth Street, was riddled with bullets by a gunman dressed in a ‘hoodie’ just as he returned home from one of the city night spots. According to information received, Small had just entered the front gate and was walking through a dark pathway at the side of the house to get to the back of the property when a man, dressed in a hooded T-shirt, confronted him.
There are reports that the father of one said, “Hey boy move from deh” to the gunman who then opened fire.
Small reportedly tried to flee, but slipped and fell. This newspaper understands that as Small lay on the ground, the hooded shooter proceeded to pump several more bullets into him. He died on the spot.
Small’s relatives gathered at his home yesterday
Executed: O’Riley Small
Small’s aunt, Gail Ann Edwards, said that she was awakened by the sound of gunshots and then heard her nephew’s screams.
“When we run out we see he (Small) lying in blood. He was dead already,” his aunt lamented.
Relatives could not say if Small had any problems with anyone.
“All that we know is that the neighbour said that they saw a silver-grey car was parked there (in close proximity to the house). We can’t say if it was waiting on him or what,” the aunt said.
When asked if Small had any problem with the law, his relatives said that the father of one was a loving and jovial person who was always harassed by the police.
In January 2010, Small was shot when a gunman opened fire and killed one of his friends, Vibert Weekes, a short distance away from the popular “Red Dragon” night club on Robb Street.
There are reports that a bet of $100,000 made between Small and the gunman cost Weekes his life.
In January 2012, Small was remanded to prison on an attempted murder charge.
The allegation was that on January 9, 2012, with intent to commit murder, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded New York-based Guyanese Felix Alleyne, who lost one of his kidneys after Small shot him.
That case was subsequently dismissed after Alleyne refused to testify.
In June 2012, Small, a former footballer was shot three times at a football match by a gunman who approached him from behind.
In November 2013, he was among three who were jointly charged with break and enter and larceny committed on Central Electronics located on Robb Street, Georgetown.
It was alleged that they stole $9.2M worth of items, including a flat screen television set and a metal safe, along with cash.
Some have suggested that Small may have been slain for his alleged role as an informant.
In February, 2013, three bandits were shot dead by police, while attempting to enter the premises of businessman Wayne Heber at Premnaranjan Place, Prashad Nagar. Relatives of Leon Gittens, one of the slain men, alleged that O’ Riley Small had come to Gittens’ home and called him out that night.
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