As the manhunt continues for notorious convicted killer, Mark Royden Williams six days after he escaped the maximum security Mazaruni prison, Region Seven remains tense and social activities have declined particularly because of his deadly relationship with the town of Bartica.
It was back in 2017, when ‘Smallie’ along with his co-accused Dennis Williams, called ‘Anaconda’ were both sentenced to death after they were found guilty of storming Bartica in February of 2008 when 12 men, including three police officers, were killed during an almost hour-long assault.
Those killed in the rampage were police officers Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne, as well as civilians Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yasseen, Errol Thomas, and Baldeo Singh.
Six days ago, ‘Smallie’ escaped with the aid of two heavily armed accomplices in a speedboat at Mazaruni Prison just about around 14:30 hours while being escorted back from a visit with a non-Guyanese woman.
At the time, the escort was moving “Smallie” with shackled feet. The party was fired upon with AK-47 and AR-15 automatic rifles from a boat alongside the Mazaruni River while the transfer was taking place and during the resulting exchange of gunfire, ‘Smallie’ escaped with the men.
The boat and its occupants proceeded upstream, past Itaballi landing, while prison guards with police in support undertook pursuit. However, the convicted killer and his accomplices managed to escape and the boat was found abandoned near a quarry.
Later, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, indicated at a press conference that Williams and his accomplices were suspected to be in the same area.
The minister informed that the joint services have responded with land, air and water patrols to ensure that the killer, who is now on his second escape, is captured.
The captain of the escape vessel was also later apprehended and he told law enforcement officers that he was kidnapped and forced to transport the men.
With the escape happening in Region Seven, especially close to Bartica, tensions remain high in the area, according to officials.
“Well, we have been in contact with residents and speaking to them in relation to them being kept calm. A lot of them are still a bit tense to the extent of what they know.” Region Seven Commander, Senior Superintendent Dion Moore noted during an interview with Stabroek News.
The Commander added that given the current situation, the place remains quiet at the moment as people are going about their normal lives and the police are on constant patrol, checking and communicating with the residents and encouraging them to report any suspicious activity immediately.
“We are speaking to households and encouraging them that should anyone see anything, to report it as quickly as possible. The information is out there, equally the reward was offered, that has been communicated country wide, not just in Region Seven and all can be a part of it. So, if they see something and hear something we can engage and apprehend and let justice be served.”
Speaking on the issue also was the Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, who confirmed that the town is not the same since the escape of ‘Smallie’.
“I have not seen or heard a decline in business but the residents and the business community are very concerned about the escapee but at the same time they are optimistic that the security forces will capture the escapee,” Marshall said.
Social activities in the area have been postponed and entertainment events have been reduced.
Mayor Marshall also noted that officials are asking that the community members give their full support.
“We try too at our level and the regional level to try to encourage them and the best they can do now is give the police forces and also the GDF their full support and if they recognize any suspicious activities, please report such to the police.”
There has been no sighting of ‘Smallie’ Williams or his associates since the escape. There has also been no word from the ministry on how he was able to escape and whether any prison personnel might have aided his escape.
Williams was said to have been shackled at the time but doubts have been raised about this given that he appeared to have been able move freely. There has also been no word on the woman who had met with him shortly before his escape. Her meeting with Williams was in breach of protocols governing death row prisoners.
