Murder: Man intentionally ran over another with car

UPDATE: Bryan Welcome (41), who was arrested in the gruesome killing of Omar Ryan, has been charged with murder. He is expected to appear in court today, 11 July.

(CMR)  Police are investigating the gruesome killing of Omar Ryan, a Jamaican man who was reportedly intentionally run over by Bryan Welcome, owner of People's Choice Grocery, in George Town Saturday evening.

CMR sources said the two men had an argument when Welcome (41) used his vehicle to hit Ryan and then drove over his body. Several persons told CMR the deadly incident may have stemmed from both men being business competitors, with both men selling Jamaican produce. There are also reports that Saturday's incident resulted from road rage.

Reports from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service are that shortly after 8:00 PM, Saturday, 8 July, police responded to a report of an MVA with injured persons in the vicinity of North Sound Road, George Town.

On arriving at the scene, officers observed a member of the public administering CPR to Ryan on the ground. Officers secured the area, and an ambulance arrived and took over resuscitation efforts. Ryan was transported to George Town Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased by the attending doctor.

It was reported to officers that the suspect and victim had been engaged in a verbal dispute that turned physical. Subsequently, the victim appears to have been struck by a car. The police said investigations as to the circumstances are ongoing.

Police located Welcome, who left the scene, and arrested him on suspicion of murder in relation to the incident. He is currently in police custody at the Cayman Islands Detention Centre.

One person who saw the body after the incident told CMR that Ryan's body was crushed with blood coming from all areas of his body.

“Whatever they had, he must have been really angry,” she said.

Welcome reportedly had his child with him when he drove over Ryan's body. His wife and employees were also present at the location. There are reports that the child asked him to stop, but was told to be quiet by the mother.

Welcome reportedly drove over Ryan's body with his personal vehicle. He then called his lawyer after carrying out the terrible act, stating that he felt threatened. He then left the scene in a company vehicle.

CMR also understands that Ryan's children were expected to arrive in Cayman on Monday after having to change their flight from last Friday.

The matter is under investigation, and anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has any information, is asked to contact George Town CID at 949-4222.

Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via their Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777 or via their website. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Cayman Crime Stoppers website.