AS the search continues for death row inmate and convicted mass murderer, Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie,” who recently escaped from the Mazaruni Prison, the police on Sunday shot and killed his alleged accomplice, Neon Howard called ‘Taxi’.

According to a police press release, the 33-year-old Friendship, East Coast Demerara resident was fatally shot when he opened fire on ranks of the Joint Services along a trail leading from St Mary’s Quarry, Essequibo River in Region Seven.

“Based on the investigations conducted thus far, Neon Howard was WANTED for aiding in the escape of notorious convicted killer and condemned ‘death row’ prisoner Mark Royden Williams called ‘Smallie’, who, with his (Howard’s) assistance, fled the Mazaruni Prison on 2023/05/19.

As a consequence, a manhunt was launched by the Joint Services for the escapee along with his two accomplices, which included Howard,” the police said.

The release said that based on information received of sightings of the trio in the St Mary’s quarry area on May 27, ranks from the Joint Services promptly responded and launched several patrols (ATV and foot) in the area.

“At about 06:54 hours today (Sunday), a patrol on ATV was along a trail about six (6) miles North/ West of where a Lumber Concession is based on the Essequibo River bank when the patrol came upon Howard. The Joint Services ranks recognised him as one of the men wanted.
They arrested Howard and proceeded to escort him through the trail, when the suspect suddenly snatched one of the ranks firearm from his lap as the rank drove the ATV.

Howard immediately jumped off the ATV, ran a short distance in front of the ATV, and turned face-on whilst attempting to crank the firearm. As a result, one of the Joint Services ranks, who was armed with an AK 47 rifle, then discharged four rounds in Howard’s direction, one of which struck Howard, who fell in a ditch of water whilst still attempting to crank the firearm,” police said.

On seeing that, another rank discharged three rounds from his 9mm weapon, of which two struck him as he soon became motionless.

Thereafter, Howard was escorted to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where he was examined by a doctor on duty who pronounced him dead on arrival.

Police said that at the time of his arrest, he was found with a black Samsung phone, one grey haversack which contained a pair of black Nike boots, Vitamin C tablets, Iron tablets, Malaria tablets, one camouflage hammock, one pack of cook-up seasoning, and one checkered boxer.
“It should be noted that items similar to these, including rations, had been previously discovered by ranks of the Joint Services who were in hot pursuit of the suspects.

Further, an eyewitness who had interactions under duress with the escapee and his accomplices has positively identified Howard as one of those accomplices.

Investigations are underway.

Last week, the prison’s head of security, Alexander Hopkinson; prison officers Omar Whitherspoon, Conroy Hosannah, and Oldfield Romulus, Frangeliz Jugandry Flores Perez of Alexander Street, Kitty and businessman Rajmohan Autar called “Chico” were charged for their allegedly role in the escape.

It is alleged that, on May 19, they conspired with each other and persons unknown to assist Williams to escape.

A reward of $10 million is currently being offered for any information that can lead to his recapture.

Persons with any information can contact the police on telephone numbers: 225-6940, 225-8196, 2252317, 227-1149 or the nearest police station.

Williams, known as “Smallie,” escaped from the Mazaruni Prison at around 14:30 hours on May 19 with the assistance of heavily armed men in a speedboat.

According to the Guyana Prison Service, Williams was returning to the Sibley Hall prison on an ATV and was in shackles after receiving a visit from a female, when the escorting ranks came under gunfire. It is alleged that the ranks dismounted their ATV and returned fire at the assailants.

The Prison Service added that one of the boat occupants came to shore and continued to discharge several rounds towards the prison officers.

Williams, who was in foot chains, managed to run towards the riverbank and jumped into the river.

The gunmen assisted him into the speedboat which headed upstream past Itaballi Landing, while prison guards and police pursued it. No prison officer was injured during the ordeal.

In February 2017, Williams was sentenced to death when a jury found him guilty of eight counts of murder in relation to the 2008 Bartica massacre, in which a dozen persons, including three police officers were shot dead.

Several months later, in July 2017, Williams escaped from the prison at Camp Street, Georgetown during a riot. It is believed that he was the mastermind.

However, he was nabbed on October 9, 2017, at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice (WCB), while travelling in a public minibus.

In 2013, Williams was acquitted after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of the charges against him in relation to the 2008 Lusignan massacre, which claimed the lives of 11 persons, including five children.

Last year, he was sentenced to death for the 2008 murder of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer Ivor Williams.