Alleged gunman arrested at CJIA in departure bid
–reportedly not licensed to carry a gun

QUICK action by alert police ranks in “A” Division saw them swooping down on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri Tuesday and arresting alleged Congress Place shooter, Linden Primo as he tried to depart Guyana for the United States.

Primo is the man who allegedly discharged his firearm at Congress Place on Sunday when he panicked as voters and delegates threw down a barricade separating them from the Returning Officer.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed by airport sources that investigators, who were looking for Primo since Sunday, received word that he was scheduled to leave the country on Tuesday night. The police then put in place the necessary arrangements to nab the man as he made his bid for a flight to freedom. He was arrested and taken into police custody, where he remained up until late yesterday.

This publication was informed that the weapon the man discharged at the Peoples National Congress Reform Headquarters in Sophia during the Party’s Congress was not his. The weapon is reportedly registered to a mining company at which the man works as a security officer.

It was also noted that although he was not the holder of a firearm licence, the man does have the power to carry the Company’s weapon while executing duties on the Company’s behalf. There are provisions on that company’s licence which cover the man in that respect.

However, on Sunday when the incident occurred, he was not performing any duties for the mining company when he discharged the weapon, sending PNCR delegates and other supporters scampering for cover as they feared for their lives.

The shooting was condemned by many persons at Congress Place. They were of the view that the discharge of the weapon was unnecessary. Since the shooting, the police were looking to locate the now arrested man and his employer, who were both missing in action up to Tuesday afternoon.

It is not clear if the police have been able to arrest the man’s employer. Up to late yesterday, the police were moving to have the mining company produce the firearm which was assigned to the man, so that it can be examined and tests can be carried out.

(By Leroy Smith)