WELL-known Disc Jockey (DJ) Casual, whose name is Curtis Armstrong, has at last spoken to the media regarding the early morning shooting incident in which he was shot and injured by a man who waited for him for 25 minutes in the parking area at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara after a verbal exchange over ice.

The charismatic Armstrong told this publication that he is 75% normal and is working towards recovery. He said he is feeling much better, and wishes to thank all his well-wishers and others who prayed and supported him during that time of distress.

He added that he is very thankful to be alive, since it was a very close call on his life, and he remains optimistic that the person or persons responsible for the attempt on his life would soon be arrested.

Casual said he was pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming support he received from so many persons who were genuinely concerned about his health, and he had no idea he was so popular; therefore, he would try his best not to disappoint his fans.

Casual said he honestly cannot identify the person who had shot him multiple times to the body. He said it all happened within a few minutes, and he had been surprised by the persons in the parking lot as he was about to enter his car to go home.

He explained that he was in the VIP lounge of the Guyana National Stadium for the Easter Fest show featuring Jah Cure and Sean Paul, and had gone to get some ice; but and as he was about to pick up the ice, it was knocked out of his hand by a man who told him he could not get any.

He said, “The ice was hit out my hand by the guy, and I just put my hands up and said ‘you cannot do that, because I did not do nothing to warrant such behaviour’.”

At that point he had merely objected, but was not about to confront the man who was behaving in a very hostile manner. He said they had an exchange of words, after which he returned to his seat and thought that the matter was over, not knowing that the man was waiting for him for 25 minutes in the parking area. The man confronted him as he was about to get into his car to go home, and he was shot and injured by the same man, who drove away from the scene, and is still at large.

Casual said he is very happy to be back at work in Guyana, and he has resumed hosting the ‘Digicel Morning Vibez’, a live radio show on 100.1 Fresh FM, alongside Big Red and Selector Dread. He also does work on NCN radio.

He said he returned to work last week, and the welcome was very pleasing. He admitted owing a debt of gratitude to a lot of people who supported him, including Digicel Guyana Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James.

DJ Casual said he did not realise how much he missed work during his hospitalisation, and he was even more stunned to know so many people had missed him during his absence. He said it is just amazing to know that people felt that way about him.

“I could have died for something so small as ice, just because of a misunderstanding; and I want to urge people: If there is a problem, just apologise and walk away, because it is not worth your life, since some people want to address issues using anger and aggression,” DJ Casual said.

Following the incident, Crime Chief Leslie James has said that while no arrests have yet been made, police have a description of the suspect in the shooting of radio announcer/disc jockey Curtis Armstrong and Sean Hinds. The vehicle in which the shooter fled the scene has also been described, and detectives are actively pursuing that lead.
Written By Michel Outridge