Jyrelle O’Connor, popularly known as “Loski,” from South London, has been found guilty of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
The 23-year-old drill rapper is believed to be a key member of a south London gang that engaged in violent altercations with rival gangs in Brixton. He was also a member of the Kennington-based drill group Harlem Spartans.
A jury found him guilty on three counts on Wednesday (Jan. 4), including possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm when prohibited for five years, and possession of ammunition for a firearm when prohibited for five years.
He is currently awaiting sentencing at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, January 6th.
According to Detective Constable Snazell, there was “no doubt,” that O’Connor or his gang mates would have used the firearm. Adding that the rapper was “fascinated” by guns and frequently Googled ammunition and firearms months ahead of his arrest.
The Met’s Specialist Crime Command conducted a three-year investigation that resulted in the conviction.
In April 2019, O’Connor was observed entering an Uber while using a fake name, after which unarmed officers proceeded to stop the vehicle along the A40.
During the search of the vehicle, authorities discovered a small black sock with a loaded black revolver under the front passenger seat, which is exactly in front of where O’Connor had been seated.
He was subsequently charged under suspicion of possession of a firearm with the intention to endanger life on April 10, 2019. Following forensic analysis, the firearm was confirmed to be a loaded 4mm Flobert Calibre Revolver.
According to the Metropolitan Police, O’Connor’s DNA was discovered on the loading face of the cylinder, which is a part of the firearm that cannot be accessed without opening it up to reveal the ammunition.
He refuted the charges and said that a drug dealer had threatened the lives of him and his mother, forcing him to keep the revolver in his possession.
As per reports, officers intended to interrogate O’Connor about the circumstances surrounding his friend Latwaan Griffiths’ death in July 2018 when he was initially stopped that day. According to investigators, Latwaan had allegedly attempted to shoot up a rival gang but was instead fatally stabbed.
Per reports, O’Connor’s DNA had been found inside a bag that Latwaan was carrying when he was fatally stabbed and his fingerprint was also located on a reversible latex glove that had gunshot residue on the inside.
In a statement following the guilty verdict, Detective Constable Snazell said:
“This has been a trying and challenging case with many twists and turns, but I’m pleased the jury found O’Connor guilty of his crimes and I’d like to thank them for seeing through his lies and excuses.
“I have no doubt that O’Connor, or his gang associates, would have used this revolver in the future and by finding and destroying it we have taken a lethal weapon off the streets and potentially saved a life.
“As part of the trial the jury heard how fascinated O’Connor was by guns and gang lifestyle and on his phone he had been running numerous Google searches for firearms and ammunition in the months prior to his arrest.
“O’Connor was an influential individual and had many followers on social media. No amount of fortune or fame justifies his serious criminal actions and I’m confident this will be reflected in the sentence that will be handed down by the judge.”
Source: Evening Standard.
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