CURTIS Armstrong, the popular 34-year-old radio announcer and disc jockey who operates under the name ‘DJ Casual’, as well as ex-cop Sean Hinds, were reportedly shot in the Car Park at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
The Guyana Police Force, in a statement, said the incident occurred at about 04:10 hrs yesterday.
Armstrong, who is also Digicel’s Brand Ambassador in Guyana, hails from Guyhoc Park, Georgetown while Hinds, 30, is from North Ruimveldt, also in the City.
Police report that the incident occurred at the Easter Fest Concert featuring international artistes Jah Cure and Sean Paul.
‘DJ Casual’ was reported to have been involved in a heated argument over ice, and subsequent scuffle, with two men in the car park at the Stadium.
The Police said Hinds intervened in that argument, and one of the two men pulled out a firearm and shot Armstrong to his abdomen and left hand, and Sean Hinds to his left foot, before the duo escaped.
Both Curtis Armstrong and Sean Hinds are currently in-patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
This newspaper understands that ‘DJ Casual’ underwent surgery at the GPHC, and came out successful shortly after 10:00 hrs yesterday. His relatives, who were all awaiting word of his condition, report that the bullets missed all his vital organs in exiting his body.
Upon hearing of the shooting, yesterday, Digicel Guyana Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James, rushed to the GPHC, and later spoke with doctors who had performed the surgery on ‘DJ Casual’. She said he was reportedly in recovery after his operation, and she is hoping he would fully recover from his injuries.
‘DJ Casual’ hosts the live ‘Digicel Morning Vibes’ radio programme which runs from 06:00 hrs to 09:00 hrs every day. He is ably assisted by ‘Selector Seen Up’ and ‘Big Red’, among other radio personalities on 100.1FM Radio.
It is understood that ‘DJ Casual’ had gone to get some ice, but another patron objected to this and a quarrel ensued. After the show, as DJ Casual was about to board his vehicle, the patron confronted him again, and a heated argument erupted, which escalated, and one of the men pulled out a gun and fired several shots at Armstrong and Hinds.
The gunman and his accomplice fled the scene in a Nissan Titan, but police were able to recover several spent shells.
Crime Chief Leslie James and ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken could not be reached via telephone for a comment on the incident yesterday, while the promoter’s phones were turned off.
DJ Casual’s girlfriend has said she is ready to give the police a statement, since she was with him when the incident occurred. Requesting anonymity, the woman told this publication that Casual’s condition is stable, and that up to the time she had last seen him, he is responding well to treatment. (Michel Outridge)
