-suspected bandit involved in shootout to be charged soon

REPRESENTATIVES on the Guyana Police Force a (GPF) and Leader of the Cops and Faith recently visited the 63-year-old pensioner of Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who was accidentally shot and injured during a shootout between police and a bandit on Tuesday.

The pensioner, Parmadai Parbattie called “Galo” is a housewife of 124 Caesar Street, Agricola, EBD.
She was resting in her hammock when she was hit in the buttocks by a stray bullet. She is currently hospitalised at a city hospital. Superintendent Anthony Vanderhyden, Assistant Superintendent Robinson, and Reverend Winston Assannah (Leader of the Cops and Faiths) spoke with the injured pensioner during the hospital visit.

Reverend Assannah offered words of comfort and prayed for her. Meanwhile, Superintendent Vanderhyden assured her that investigations into the shooting incident are ongoing and the suspects are in custody. Residents in Agricola had called on the Police Force to remind ranks of standard operational procedure when operating in residential areas. Parmaldai was shot in the aftermath of a robbery/murder that occurred when 32-year-old bus driver, Tedroy Neil James, was killed after a passenger stopped the bus on the McDoom Public Road, lower East Bank, where a man was sitting on the sidewalk. The man attempted to rob all the passengers.

The Route 32 (Georgetown/Parika) minibus driver, also called “Six Head” of Suddie, Essequibo Coast, was en route to Georgetown when he tried to save the passengers by driving off. He was however shot by the bandit and later succumbed to his injuries. Police later intercepted and arrested an armed suspect in Agricola after an exchange of gunfire. The suspect, a Bagotstown, EBD resident, has reportedly admitted under questioning as being part of a three-man gang that killed the minibus driver. However, he denied being the shooter. Police are seeking legal advice pertaining to charges. Police in a press statement said acting on information, ranks went to 4th Street, Agricola at about 15:15hrs Tuesday and on arrival they were confronted by two armed male suspects.

One was in possession of a shotgun with its barrel sawn off and the other with a handgun.
“They opened fire on the lawmen who adopted tactical positions and returned fire. During the exchange, the suspect with the shotgun was injured. He was apprehended and the weapon retrieved; the other suspect managed to elude the ranks,” the press statement noted. It also noted that Parmaldai called “Galo”, 63, of 124 Caesar Street, Agricola, who was resting in a hammock next to where the shooting occurred, was grazed by a stray bullet. Police said she was taken to the East Bank Demerara Public Hospital (Diamond) where she was treated and sent away. However, her relatives took her to a private hospital where she was admitted. “The Police Force wishes her a speedy recovery. The injured suspect is wanted for discharging of a loaded firearm at Grove, EBD, on July 5, 2017,” the statement said, as it pointed out that investigations continue. Meanwhile, James leaves to mourn his wife and two young children.