TWO members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) are under close arrest following last Friday’s shooting incident in which their friend Devon Howell was shot and injured and is now hospitalised in an unconscious condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation up to press time.

Following the shooting incident, the friends at the house when Howell was shot and injured at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, not far from his residence, dropped him off at the hospital and they reportedly packed a bag and fled to Linden where they were found and are now in GDF custody.

Relatives of Howell learnt of their movements and informed GDF authorities, who acted promptly and were successful in finding them at a location in Region 10. They were then transported to GDF Base Camp Ayanganna.

The GDF will, however, hand the soldiers over to the Guyana Police Force pending investigations into the shooting incident which occurred on Friday night at the home of one of the soldiers.

Howell, 20, of Lot 87 Da Silva Street, Kitty, Georgetown, who was shot and injured remains hospitalised in an unconscious condition nursing a single gunshot wound to the neck where his condition is being monitored in the High Dependency Unit at the GPHC.

The incident occurred at about 17:30 hrs on November 21, 2014, at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, when Howell was shot and injured.

Relatives told this publication yesterday that Howell usually frequents the home of the soldiers since they are friends and while there it was reported that they were playing with a gun when it went off hitting him.

Based on reports, the group was taking turns to play around with the weapon when it accidentally went off discharging a round which struck Howell in the neck.

Allison Howell said the bullet exited her electrician son’s neck but not before it caused major damage which has left him in an unresponsive state and hooked up to oxygen and other medical equipment.

Up to press time yesterday afternoon during visiting hours relatives said Howell’s condition improved a little and he was opening his eyes just a bit when spoken to and they are hoping he pulls through and regains consciousness.
(By Michel Outridge)