AFTER evading authorities for over a year, Shawn Thomas, also known as ‘Troy Richards’, has been apprehended by the police in connection with the September 2022 murder of Ray Narain. The arrest took place on Friday, confirmed by police sources.
Thomas, 43 years old, had been on the run since being implicated in the murder of Ray Narain, which occurred at Sand Hills Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The victim’s father, Elton Narain, who witnessed the crime, spotted Thomas at Grill King on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, and promptly alerted the authorities around 13:30 hours on Friday.
Upon receiving the tip-off, detectives swiftly responded to the scene and successfully apprehended Thomas. In addition to the murder charge, Thomas also faces a commitment warrant for two years’ imprisonment related to unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The tragic incident, which unfolded on September 22, 2022, saw Ray Narain fatally wounded in an altercation allegedly involving Thomas and his son, Ackime Richards, both of whom were subjects of wanted bulletins at the time of the arrest.
According to police reports, the confrontation occurred late at night, between 23:30 hours and midnight, resulting in Ray Narain sustaining fatal gunshot wounds to the chest. His body was discovered concealed under branches, bearing additional injuries to the shoulder and abdomen.
Ron Keme Narain, Ray’s twin brother, and Rakesh Chunilall were also victims of the attack, sustaining injuries during the altercation. Ron Narain was shot in the right arm, while Chunilall suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
The roots of the conflict trace back to a dispute between Ron Narain and one of the suspects, during which Ron seized possession of a firearm and ammunition on September 17, 2022. This altercation ultimately culminated in the fatal shooting days later.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene, recounting how the suspects arrived on a motorcycle, approached the victims, and opened fire. Ron Narain managed to escape, while Ray succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Both Ron Narain and Rakesh Chunilall received medical treatment for their injuries sustained during the incident.
The arrest of Shawn Thomas marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the tragic events of September 2022, providing a semblance of closure for the families affected by the senseless violence. Thomas is currently in police custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.
