‘Pastor’ denies role in 2021 Linden ambush killing
February 10 2026
A man accused of orchestrating the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old Linden resident in 2021 has pleaded not guilty to murder in the Demerara High Court.
Samorea Mitchell, called “Pastor,” entered a not guilty plea when he was arraigned before Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh.
Mitchell is charged with the July 17, 2021 killing of Delroy Anthony McKenzie at Sunflower Street, Wismar — an attack the prosecution alleges stemmed from gang rivalry and was carefully planned.
The State’s case is being presented by State Counsel Christopher Belfield with assistance from State Counsel Geneva.
They claim that Mitchell had been part of a group initially preparing to target members of the MOB Gang during a barbecue in Linden on the day of the incident.
However, prosecutors allege that Mitchell secretly shared the plan with someone linked to that gang.
A counter-plot was then allegedly arranged to lure McKenzie to Sunflower Street under the guise of carrying out the original attack.
According to the prosecution, when McKenzie arrived in Linden, Mitchell directed him to the location where he and four others were waiting inside a car.
As McKenzie approached the vehicle with his friend, Calvin Daly, gunmen reportedly opened fire. McKenzie was killed, while Daly sustained injuries.
A post-mortem examination later found that McKenzie suffered nine gunshot wounds, with the bullets travelling from back to front.
Investigators recovered 27 spent shells and two 9mm projectiles at the scene. Ballistic testing indicated that at least two different firearms were used.
The court also heard that the vehicle allegedly used in the shooting had been stolen from Georgetown.
Prosecutors contend that Mitchell asked an acquaintance to retrieve the car and take it to Linden, claiming he could not drive it himself because his licence was invalid and that he intended to use it for taxi work.
The vehicle was later reportedly burned and abandoned at the Blue Lake area one day after the shooting.
Following the incident, the State alleges that Mitchell left Linden for Mahdia on July 18, 2021, before eventually returning.
Although aware that police were seeking him, prosecutors say he remained out of sight until September 3, 2021, when he surrendered at the Mackenzie Police Station accompanied by his lawyer.
Investigators conducted several video-recorded interviews and confrontations with Mitchell and others.
While he initially denied involvement, the prosecution claims that days later he indicated a willingness to speak “off camera” and provided investigators with a detailed account of the events.
The State said a caution statement was taken but that Mitchell declined to sign it, allegedly out of fear of being labelled a “snitch” and facing retaliation.
Mitchell disputes those claims and maintains that he never confessed or admitted any role in the killing.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Nehaul P. Singh, who performed the autopsy on July 19, 2021, testified that McKenzie sustained gunshot wounds to the arms, chest, abdomen and head.
Approximately 2,000 cubic centimetres of blood was found in both the chest and abdominal cavities.
Dr. Singh concluded that death resulted from haemorrhage and shock caused by multiple gunshot injuries.
