Albouystown businessman, Errol Butcher, popularly known as ‘Taps’ was the victim of a drive-by shooting in the vicinity of his business place on America Street last night shortly after 21:00 hrs.
Butcher was admitted to a private city hospital where it was reported that in spite of receiving several gunshot wounds to his body and legs he was in a stable condition. At press time he was being prepared for emergency surgery.
He had reportedly spoken to his wife who arrived at the hospital at about the same time as Slabroek News.
According to an eyewitness account, Butcher had just left his business and was standing by his car preparing to enter it when a white car which was driving north along Avenue of the Republic turned west into America Street.
The car stopped briefly and a person or persons fired a volley of bullets in the direction of Butcher, and then the car drove off.
The rapid, staccato gunfire led him to believe that the guns or gun used might have been a sub-machine gun. The eyewitness said that he saw the outline of three persons in the assailant’s car, but it was dark so he could not be sure about the exact number.
This newspaper was told that persons on the scene immediately placed Butcher in his car and took him to the private hospital.
The car was subsequently taken to the Brickdam Police Station as the police began their investigations. Stabroek News also noted a heavy police presence in central Georgetown last night.
The stretch of road on America Street between Avenue of the Republic and Longden Street was cordoned off by the police and appeared empty apart from a few passers-by who stopped to survey the scene.
When Stabroek News arrived at the city hospital there were scores of people in the hospital compound and outside on the pavement keeping watch with Butcher’s wife and other relatives. There was much speculation about the reasons for the shooting. (Miranda LaRose)
Taps succumbs to gunshot wounds
Popular Albouystown businessman, Errol Butcher, also known as ‘Taps’, succumbed early yesterday morning to gunshot wounds he sustained on Sunday, plunging the south Georgetown community into mourning.
Butcher, who some described yesterday as a legendary figure in the poverty- ravaged Albouystown community, was struck by a hail of gunfire on Sunday, during a drive-by shooting in the vicinity of his business place on America Street shortly after 2100 hrs.
The businessman’s death came as a shock to his family members yesterday after it was reported that despite bullet wounds to his body and legs he was in a stable condition. He was said to be “hanging on” by relatives on Monday while he remained in a critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit at a city hospital. Reports said that he underwent emergency surgery shortly after he was admitted to the hospital with gunshot wounds to his lower abdomen and his legs.
He was said to have spoken to his wife and close associates on his arrival at the hospital on Sunday evening, but on Monday he was sedated for most of the day and no one but his wife was allowed to visit with him.
When news of Butcher’s death hit his hometown, many quickly proceeded to the city hospital to lend a comforting shoulder to his grieving relatives.
Stabroek News understands that the businessman breathed his last at around 9:00 am yesterday. According to reports, a large procession followed the hearse that transported the body to the Sandy’s Funeral Home from the city hospital.
When Stabroek News visited the funeral home yesterday, several family members and friends were sitting in front, some with tears streaming down their faces as they tried to come to grips with the man’s death. Four of the man’s approximately 20 children were among them.
The girls, Amanda, 17, Shonette, 19, Senobia, 21 and Teneshia, 19, were at a loss for words when they were asked to describe their father because they were so distraught over his demise.
But after several moments they said that their father was a very “loving man.” They pointed out that although most of his children were from different mothers, he treated all of them equally. They noted that all four of them were of different mothers, but lived together in a home made available to them by the businessman.
They recalled that on Sunday their father had promised to take them out for the evening. According to the daughters, their father had taken out some of their younger siblings earlier in the day but when he returned he found they were not yet ready to go and he promised to return for them. Shortly after he had left, they received the news that he was shot.
Who shot Butcher and why remains a mystery as family members were unable to shed any light on the matter. Stabroek News understands that the police are also no closer to uncovering the identity of the person or persons who might have shot the man. This newspaper was told that the police had not received any information that was of “significant value” to their investigation. “We have nothing to work on,” this newspaper was told by a law enforcement officer.
Yesterday relatives complained that there was “foot dragging” on the investigation into the man’s shooting. They claimed that the police had issued no statement on the matter, nor indicated how far they were in the investigation.
Contacted yesterday and told of the concerns of the relatives, Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force, Assistant Superintendent David Ramnarine, told Stabroek News that the police were investigating the shooting. Ramnarine pointed out that the police force was very objective in its investigations, adding that regardless of who the victim was, the police would investigate once a crime was committed. However, he stressed that the police had no obligation to reveal the details of the investigations to the relatives of the victim.
Details of the man’s shooting have been very sketchy but according to reports, Butcher had just completed a game of dominoes in his business place when he was shot. Reports said that he had just left his building and was about to enter his car when a white car, which was proceeding north along Avenue of the Republic turned west into America Street. It was stated that the car stopped briefly and a person or persons fired a volley of bullets in the direction of Butcher, and then drove off. An eyewitness had told this newspaper that the shots were discharged rapidly.
About three years ago am attempt was made on Butcher’s life when gunmen’ fired at him, injuring him but not seriously. Relatives said yesterday that the police never arrested anyone in that incident. It was also pointed out that even though Butcher was a businessman and his life was in danger he was never given a firearm to protect himself.
When Stabroek News visited the man’s home at James and Barr streets there were several persons standing outside and some of them could be seen weeping.
