Last night during the news we told you about a murder in the Port Loyola area - which happened on Reggae Street around 7:00.
It was a gang related murder but not due to feuding between rival sets. It seems to have been an internal feud within the Southside gangsters; reportedly retaliation against a gang affiliate who had helped the police.
Monica Bodden found out more today.
Monica Bodden Reporting
Another Southside youth gunned down - just a block away from his house.
30 year old Noel Usher - known to many as Biggs - was killed around 7 o'clock last night on Reggae Street in the Yabra area.
His lifeless body still on the ground when we arrived on the scene - as police scouted the area and scenes of crime experts processed the scene.
His entire body was riddled with gunshots wounds - Neighbors say they heard over a dozen shot gunshots rang out. Usher lives just around the corner from where he was killed.
From what we understand, he had just left home and went to order some creole buns from a neighborhood baker. He told her, he was going to pass back for them.
But he never got the chance.
Two men were waylaying him - one of whom opened fire.
Voice of: Neighbor
"Last night I recalled that I was on my cell phone, and after I came off my cell phone, my daughter told me Noel came and ordered 4 buns. So I said, 'Okay'. But as I was about to get up and come to the door, I heard gunshots. First it sounded like dynamite that was bursting. And after that, I said, 'That's not dynamite; that's gunshots.' So I rushed out the screen door, and I saw a ball of smoke. And I told my daughter, because I was so scared, 'Run to the gate and check to see if it's any of your brothers who was shot.' She ran out and went to check, and for a time she was hesitant. She came back and she told me - because I was screaming all this time - she said, 'Mommy, It's not any of my brothers, but it's Biggs.'"
Over a dozen shots were heard in the already embattled neighborhood.
Voice of: Neighbor
"He came and he ordered the buns. As I said, I was on a call, and he told my daughter that he was going to come back. And he left because he wanted to get something from the shop. He left, and I guess, came back through the shortcut, that was when his attacker was waiting, and he ran all the way from that way from the shortcut, and he came to my side. I guess he was looking for refuge."
Today police press officer Fitzroy Yearwood told the media that police has so far detained someone for questioning:
Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer
"First of all, we have someone detained for questioning, a resident also of the same area - actually of Queen Charlotte. We believe that this assailant lives nearby. What I can tell you so far is that police arrived on the scene at a little after 7, where they saw the lifeless body of Noel Delhart Usher, 30 years-old, apparently dead. He had several gunshot wounds all over the body. The intial investigation revealed that Usher was walking on Reggae Street, when he was approached by two dark-complexioned male persons, one of whom took out a firearm. Usher made an attempt to run from them, and that man opened fire on him, fatally injuring him."
We understand that the suspect resides on Queen Charlotte Street in the same area where the shooting took place.
Reliable reports suggest that it was an execution motivated by Usher's cooperation with a police investigation into the robbery of the Heritage Bank in Orange Walk which happened on April 5th.
Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer
"Because, of course, we know this is a murder investigation, while I would want give you all the information that I can, I wouldn't want to mess up a case that would have to go in front of the Supreme Court, in the event that we make an arrest. But you are right in saying that he was jointly charged in the Heritage Bank robbery in Orange Walk, and I cannot say whether or not this is a hit, but we are not ruling that out as a possibility for this heinous crime."
Marion Ali - Love News
"But had he become to crown witness in the same case?"
Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood
"I am not at liberty to answer that question. You would have to take that up with the DPP."
Police say they can confirm that the man detained is a prominent member of the SSG - Southside Gangsters.
Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood
"That I can say. He is believed to be a member - a prominent member - of that gang"
On June 30th, Usher narrowly escaped death when he was shot in the neck at his house on Reggae Street. He was recently charged this year in connection with the armed robbery of Heritage Bank in Orange Walk and in 2009 he got off the murder of security guard Oliver Blanco. But despite his criminal record, neighbors described him as a well-mannered young man who was always willing to assist.
Voice of: Neighbor
"Everybody have their own things to say about people, because if you do good or bad, they still talk. So, from what I know, he was mannerly. If he sees you, he always bid the time of the day. If you ask him for assistance, he would do it, and he was very attentive to the children around because my children were very fond of him. To me, from whatever happened, he didn't deserve this, not the way it happened, because I think the guys are cowards. And only a coward will shot a man like that."
Usher was the father of two children - a 5 year old and a 1 year old.
