MI MI - Chelsea Small, 30, Taylor, shot at work (gun silencer used), 12 Nov 2013

[dotr]

So why did the perp even bother to use a silencer?
If he was so worried about the noise, why did he shoot the already fatally shot Chelsea again?! imo.

Gun silencers are nothing to fear
By Steve Chapman
Jan 14, 2017 rbbm.
''Silencers also reduce the recoil and improve the accuracy of guns. For the average gun owner, there is no downside. There are collateral benefits, too. In rural and unincorporated areas where shooting is allowed, they minimize the disturbance to neighbors and wildlife.

It's not hard to imagine how they could be deployed for bad purposes. Yet there are some 900,000 registered silencers in this country, and they are rarely used in crimes.''

''Chicago has a lot of bloodshed, including 762 homicides and more than 3,500 shootings, last year, but silencers figure in little or any of it. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, told me, "We seldom recover silencers.''

''If silencers were truly valuable to ordinary criminals, there would undoubtedly be a thriving black market and plenty of crimes committed with them. But the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced only 125 silencers in 2015 — not all of them connected to crimes. As Clark notes, a minimally clever miscreant can get the same noise reduction by wrapping his gun in a towel or pillow.''

 

[Itsapuzzle]

So why did the perp even bother to use a silencer?
If he was so worried about the noise, why did he shoot the already fatally shot Chelsea again?! imo.

Gun silencers are nothing to fear
By Steve Chapman
Jan 14, 2017 rbbm.
''Silencers also reduce the recoil and improve the accuracy of guns. For the average gun owner, there is no downside. There are collateral benefits, too. In rural and unincorporated areas where shooting is allowed, they minimize the disturbance to neighbors and wildlife.

It's not hard to imagine how they could be deployed for bad purposes. Yet there are some 900,000 registered silencers in this country, and they are rarely used in crimes.''

''Chicago has a lot of bloodshed, including 762 homicides and more than 3,500 shootings, last year, but silencers figure in little or any of it. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, told me, "We seldom recover silencers.''

''If silencers were truly valuable to ordinary criminals, there would undoubtedly be a thriving black market and plenty of crimes committed with them. But the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced only 125 silencers in 2015 — not all of them connected to crimes. As Clark notes, a minimally clever miscreant can get the same noise reduction by wrapping his gun in a towel or pillow.''

And it's interesting in one of the videos the former lead investigator in the case says, "Never once have I seen a suppressor used during the course of a robbery." And he mentioned that he and his colleagues went looking to find a robbery where a suppressor was used, but they couldn't find any. You'd have to say this guy has killed before, no question, hey. Random thought .... if this is the same guy who hid in the cupboard for hours to steal those silencers, then you'd have to think it wouldn't be too hard for him to steal a courier's outfit/mail man clothing. Just a thought. MOO
**I've been trying to get a clearer image of the logo on the hat too, and did get a shape of an eagle just like a mail logo I found online - will try and get clearer image, but it might just be trickery from messing around with the pic too much. Oooh, also I thought it was rare to have two logos on a hat .... oh boy, was I wrong there, it's very, very common, they're everywhere

 

[TheGardener]

If he was so worried about the noise, why did he shoot the already fatally shot Chelsea again?

He was MORE worried that she would survive as a witness. He wanted to make sure she was dead.
As far as executing her with two shots is concerned, I'm sure the police have seen this method of killing before.

 

[dotr]

Exclusive: Police release new detail in Chelsea Small cold-case murder
Snippets, sorry, unintentional bbm.
09/28/2017

''The single mother of two worked full-time at a cash-advance store in Taylor, Michigan just outside Detroit. She was also enrolled in classes at Wayne County Community College. Her sister Mandy says Chelsea was a standout student.''

''Surveillance video shows the cold-blooded killer walk around the counter and fire a second shot into the lifeless body of the mother of two.

"I think that his intent on going around to the back side of the counter is to make sure that Chelsea is not going to provide him any more resistance," said Schwein.

With the only witness now dead, the shooter begins searching the store, casually opening cabinets and drawers.''
''Whatever his motive for murder, Det. Jones says use of a silencer provides insight into the killer's state of mind.
"His state of mind is 'If I want to rob this place, I'm going to do whatever it takes to rob this place,'" said Det. Jones ''

"Based on what he has and what he uses, we know he probably owns several or is familiar with weapons," said Det. Jones. "Or he frequents gun ranges or works at one, or has been around one."

The killer didn't waste much time. Seconds after 30-year-old Chelsea Small buzzed him into the cash-advance store where she worked, the Michigan mother of two was dead, shot in the head and chest. The killer then briefly searches the Advance America store, stealing a small amount of cash from the register. Then he's gone, in and out in 60 seconds.

"Very brazen, very calm, very collected, no panic, no rush, none of that existed," said Det. Jones.''

''Now maybe you can help bring justice to Chelsea's family. Police say the suspect is likely between 35 and 50 years old, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, weighing about 200 pounds. He had dark bushy hair and was wearing a ball cap with an emblem on the front. Detectives believe his unique work-type clothing might trigger someone's memory.''

"When we look at the video we see probably some sort of work boot along with some sort of work pants," said Taylor Police Det. Eric Jones. "On the one side of his pants you can see maybe it's like a white tag, like some sort of work pant, where if you worked at a business that issued work pants for people, employees, they have their tag number on it for dry-cleaning purposes or something like that."

 

[Itsapuzzle]

Exclusive: Police release new detail in Chelsea Small cold-case murder
Snippets, sorry, unintentional bbm.
09/28/2017

''The single mother of two worked full-time at a cash-advance store in Taylor, Michigan just outside Detroit. She was also enrolled in classes at Wayne County Community College. Her sister Mandy says Chelsea was a standout student.''

''Surveillance video shows the cold-blooded killer walk around the counter and fire a second shot into the lifeless body of the mother of two.

"I think that his intent on going around to the back side of the counter is to make sure that Chelsea is not going to provide him any more resistance," said Schwein.

With the only witness now dead, the shooter begins searching the store, casually opening cabinets and drawers.''
''Whatever his motive for murder, Det. Jones says use of a silencer provides insight into the killer's state of mind.
"His state of mind is 'If I want to rob this place, I'm going to do whatever it takes to rob this place,'" said Det. Jones ''

"Based on what he has and what he uses, we know he probably owns several or is familiar with weapons," said Det. Jones. "Or he frequents gun ranges or works at one, or has been around one."

The killer didn't waste much time. Seconds after 30-year-old Chelsea Small buzzed him into the cash-advance store where she worked, the Michigan mother of two was dead, shot in the head and chest. The killer then briefly searches the Advance America store, stealing a small amount of cash from the register. Then he's gone, in and out in 60 seconds.

"Very brazen, very calm, very collected, no panic, no rush, none of that existed," said Det. Jones.''

''Now maybe you can help bring justice to Chelsea's family. Police say the suspect is likely between 35 and 50 years old, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, weighing about 200 pounds. He had dark bushy hair and was wearing a ball cap with an emblem on the front. Detectives believe his unique work-type clothing might trigger someone's memory.''

"When we look at the video we see probably some sort of work boot along with some sort of work pants," said Taylor Police Det. Eric Jones. "On the one side of his pants you can see maybe it's like a white tag, like some sort of work pant, where if you worked at a business that issued work pants for people, employees, they have their tag number on it for dry-cleaning purposes or something like that."

He also needed to go to the back side of the counter to pick up his bag off the floor. "I think that his intent on going around to the back side of the counter is to make sure that Chelsea is not going to provide him any more resistance," said Schwein.

 

[Laughing]

So why did the perp even bother to use a silencer?
If he was so worried about the noise, why did he shoot the already fatally shot Chelsea again?! imo.

Gun silencers are nothing to fear
By Steve Chapman
Jan 14, 2017 rbbm.
''Silencers also reduce the recoil and improve the accuracy of guns. For the average gun owner, there is no downside. There are collateral benefits, too. In rural and unincorporated areas where shooting is allowed, they minimize the disturbance to neighbors and wildlife.

It's not hard to imagine how they could be deployed for bad purposes. Yet there are some 900,000 registered silencers in this country, and they are rarely used in crimes.''

''Chicago has a lot of bloodshed, including 762 homicides and more than 3,500 shootings, last year, but silencers figure in little or any of it. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, told me, "We seldom recover silencers.''

''If silencers were truly valuable to ordinary criminals, there would undoubtedly be a thriving black market and plenty of crimes committed with them. But the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced only 125 silencers in 2015 — not all of them connected to crimes. As Clark notes, a minimally clever miscreant can get the same noise reduction by wrapping his gun in a towel or pillow.''

We do own firearms and fire at a range.

IMHO most 'silencers' take up nearly as much room as the pistol, making the firearm much harder to conceal. Essentially doubles the length of the firearm.

If concealing the firearm matters, there is unlikely to be a silencer. Pockets just aren't that big.

So how was this shooter able to conceal the firearm-with-silencer? Is this related to his larger size? Looser clothing?

Puzzling.

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[cujenn81]

So why did the perp even bother to use a silencer?
If he was so worried about the noise, why did he shoot the already fatally shot Chelsea again?! imo.

Gun silencers are nothing to fear
By Steve Chapman
Jan 14, 2017 rbbm.
''Silencers also reduce the recoil and improve the accuracy of guns. For the average gun owner, there is no downside. There are collateral benefits, too. In rural and unincorporated areas where shooting is allowed, they minimize the disturbance to neighbors and wildlife.

It's not hard to imagine how they could be deployed for bad purposes. Yet there are some 900,000 registered silencers in this country, and they are rarely used in crimes.''

''Chicago has a lot of bloodshed, including 762 homicides and more than 3,500 shootings, last year, but silencers figure in little or any of it. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, told me, "We seldom recover silencers.''

''If silencers were truly valuable to ordinary criminals, there would undoubtedly be a thriving black market and plenty of crimes committed with them. But the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced only 125 silencers in 2015 — not all of them connected to crimes. As Clark notes, a minimally clever miscreant can get the same noise reduction by wrapping his gun in a towel or pillow.''

Using a gun suppressor (aka silencer) actually has a few benefits — reduced noise pollution, reduced recoil, reduced muzzle blast, reduced hearing damage and increased accuracy. It could be any one (or all) of those reasons.

I will say — the process of owning a gun suppressor (legally) is no walk in the park, as the paperwork and approval process is both time-consuming and cumbersome. On the other hand, I sincerely doubt this guy is a law abiding citizen.

True Crime Garage did a really great job covering this case. There were two things they mentioned that I haven’t seen discussed here and thought were important:

1. The suspect appears to be very familiar and comfortable with firearms. Specifically, it was stated that his gun jammed at some point between his first and second shot. He apparently cleared the jam and loaded another bullet in the chamber without being slowed down whatsoever. This indicates someone who has a lot of experience working with guns — possible firearms instructor, former military, mechanical engineer, competitive sharpshooter, etc.

2. The similarities between this murder and victims of the I-70 Killer. It’s obviously not likely to be the same guy, but the similarities are a bit peculiar.

- murders occurred in the Midwest
- victims were killed inside a store
- victims were killed while working alone
- victims were killed during the daylight hours and at slow times of the day (such as lunchtime or right after closing)
- several of the victims allowed the killer inside
- only several hundred dollars is taken

I thought those two points were rather interesting.

 

[TheGardener]

This indicates someone who has a lot of experience working with guns — possible firearms instructor, former military, mechanical engineer, sharpshooter, competitive sharpshooter, etc.

...police officer. Who else might be able to gain possession of an unregistered silencer? On the job? During a bust? From the evidence room?At a gun show? Maybe the loser from the silencer robbery went to a gun show to peddle hot silencers...
You've got to figure that a hot item like an unregistered silencer could bring big bucks from a buyer unwilling to go through the registration process.

 

[TheGardener]

The logo on front of the cap appears to be round with a white background.

 

[shuponaut]

His face is concealed. He wears gloves and shoe coverings:


View attachment 302413
Click to enlarge

View attachment 302414
Click to enlarge

ALL IMO

-Nin

IMO this kind of looks like it might be a New Era logo on the side of the cap? Those are on a lot of sports team caps on the side, in white.

EDIT: Maybe a Pistons hat since it's in Michigan? They have a circular logo, sometimes in white and they do carry New Era merch - even back in 2013 according to the Wayback Machine. The attached one is a Ladies hat sold throughout 2013, so probably not it, but as an example...

 

[iamnotagolem]

Using a gun suppressor (aka silencer) actually has a few benefits — reduced noise pollution, reduced recoil, reduced muzzle blast, reduced hearing damage and increased accuracy. It could be any one (or all) of those reasons.

I will say — the process of owning a gun suppressor (legally) is no walk in the park, as the paperwork and approval process is both time-consuming and cumbersome. On the other hand, I sincerely doubt this guy is a law abiding citizen.

True Crime Garage did a really great job covering this case. There were two things they mentioned that I haven’t seen discussed here and thought were important:

1. The suspect appears to be very familiar and comfortable with firearms. Specifically, it was stated that his gun jammed at some point between his first and second shot. He apparently cleared the jam and loaded another bullet in the chamber without being slowed down whatsoever. This indicates someone who has a lot of experience working with guns — possible firearms instructor, former military, mechanical engineer, competitive sharpshooter, etc.

2. The similarities between this murder and victims of the I-70 Killer. It’s obviously not likely to be the same guy, but the similarities are a bit peculiar.

- murders occurred in the Midwest
- victims were killed inside a store
- victims were killed while working alone
- victims were killed during the daylight hours and at slow times of the day (such as lunchtime or right after closing)
- several of the victims allowed the killer inside
- only several hundred dollars is taken

I thought those two points were rather interesting.

I am glad you brought this up. Buying a suppressor is a long, expensive process that is not for the faint of heart. There is a ton of paperwork involved and takes months.

 

[TheGardener]

I took time to watch the entire surveillance video in ultra slow motion. What a heartless bum...
A few words, then POW! No negotiation. For what? It wasn't a Bank of America. It was a local check cashing outfit.
I've been through a lot of threads regarding this caper and they're just as stuck as we are.
*sigh*
Does anyone know what items were stolen from the grave?

 

[Laughing]

The logo on front of the cap appears to be round with a white background.
View attachment 302753

Was there a local courier service at the time of the crime?

Actual armored cars Loomis uses a red triangle on a black rectangle logo, Garda seems to only use their name, GARDA.

The colors in that video still aren't very clear, either.

Who did Ms. Small expect at that time of day? Lunch delivery???

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[Itsapuzzle]

This is an over processed image, was just messing around with the free Snapseed app on phone, but it’s interesting you can see the bandana type covering (which must be flesh coloured?) and you can see the eyes and a shape on the cap, angular lines, ah yes, similar to New Era @shuponaut, good find. And I agree @cujenn81, True Crime Garage have done a great job on the podcast about Chelsea, highly recommend, I keep replaying it. There are some interesting comments there too from the listeners, some saying maybe a Detroit World Series cap. The front logo in this image is what I was thinking looked like a bird?

 

[TheGardener]

This is an over processed image, was just messing around with the free Snapseed app on phone, but it’s interesting you can see the bandana type covering (which must be flesh coloured?) and you can see the eyes and a shape on the cap, angular lines, ah yes, similar to New Era @shuponaut, good find. And I agree @cujenn81, True Crime Garage have done a great job on the podcast about Chelsea, highly recommend, I keep replaying it. There are some interesting comments there too from the listeners, some saying maybe a Detroit World Series cap. The front logo in this image is what I was thinking looked like a bird?

Holy Moley! It looks like Picasso's Pixel Period! LOL!

 

[Itsapuzzle]

Holy Moley! It looks like Picasso's Pixel Period! LOL!

Haha

 

[kemo]

This would be a very odd armed robbery gone bad but a very unlikely hired hit. The big question I have is whether or not the initial shooting was a response to Chelsea hitting the silent alarm. All of the video that has been released omits this segment ( for obvious reasons since it would show somebody being killed).

Still, if the shooting were shown to be a reaction to her hitting the alarm, it would pretty well explain everything: it was just a robbery gone wrong. If he shot her to try to prevent her from hitting the alarm, he also screwed up the whole robbery since she would be unable to open the save, hence him only getting $200 and a potential death penalty.

If it appears that shooting Chelsea was part of the plan all along, then something very different is going on. The camera angle appears good at covering both the shooter and Chelsea. Does the shooter appear to react as Chelsea makes a move? I don’t know if this information is public ally available or if the video is clear enough to address the question.

 

[TheGardener]

I noticed that the perp leaves with a large, manila envelope in the zippered case. Did he come in with it?
Could it be he wanted what was in that envelope...not the money?

 

[dotr]

Re post for convenience..

 

[TheGardener]

I noticed that the perp leaves with a large, manila envelope in the zippered case. Did he come in with it?
Could it be he wanted what was in that envelope...not the money?

Just watched again in extreme slow motion. He came in with it. My guess is he wanted to give the impression he was a courier of some kind.
Could it be that he banged on the door, held up the envelope and said, "Special delivery. I need a signature." Certified Mail.
...and she let him in?
There are 19 courier services in Taylor.