Ballistics tests conducted on spent shells recovered at the scene of the April 27 murder of policeman Romein Cleto have revealed that they match those found in January when gold miner Jason Wills was shot dead in Meadow Brook, according to Crime Chief Seelall Persaud.
It is unclear when the ballistics tests were completed, but Persaud said yesterday that the “7.62 spent shells recovered from the scene of murder committed on Corporal Cleto match those recovered from the scene of murder committed on Jason Wills at Meadow Brook in January”.
Asked if this was a sign that the two killings were linked or whether it was a case of guns for hire, Persaud said, “Our info was that they were on their way to do an execution when the police [Cleto and the others] challenged them. Wills’ killing appears to be a hit as well; MO (modus operandi) fits.”
Persaud had told this newspaper earlier this week that police are still actively investigating the murder of the policeman; they had to release two suspects based on the advice of the DPP. He had also appealed for eyewitnesses to the incident to come forward.
Cleto was shot dead while constables Randy Daly and Anil Rajpersaud were injured when gunmen opened fire on them on Avenue of the Republic in the vicinity of Regent Street.
The ranks were on routine patrol when they reportedly spotted a suspicious white car on Avenue of the Republic in the vicinity of Robb Street.
At the time, the car which reportedly had a fake number plate was proceeding in a southerly direction. What might have also caused suspicion was that one of the occupants was wearing a handkerchief around his nose, likely in preparation for the `hit’ they were planning.
The ranks signalled for the driver of the car to stop but he failed to do so. The driver of the car proceeded to Croal Street before driving onto the western carriageway of Avenue of the Republic.
The car was forced to stop as the traffic light at the Regent Street junction turned red and the policemen exited their vehicle and proceeded to the car. As they approached, at least one gunman exited and opened fire.
Persaud had told Stabroek News that based on the spent shells recovered, a rifle and a pistol were used in the attack, pointing further in the direction of multiple gunmen on their way to a mission. State-owned CCTV cameras that are mounted on the nearby Bank of Baroda failed to capture any useful images.
In the Wills’ investigation, police are still looking for the perpetrators. Police had said that some facts concerning the man’s murder are still unknown. Based on reports received by this newspaper, Wills was shot dead on January 31 after a gunman jumped over the gate of the Meadow Brook home he was staying at, flung open the front door and fired a volley of shots. Wills was in the living room picking out DVDs when the gunman opened fire. Two persons had left the room mere seconds before the shooting, leading law enforcers to cast doubt on the coincidence. They were arrested but were later released.
Wills’ death is being linked to underworld ties. The father of seven had been deported from the US and it was shortly after returning here that he went into gold mining.
