Kuru Kururu village on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway erupted in gunfire around mid-morning yesterday shortly after residents observed scores of soldiers and police entering their community.
About an hour after the gunfire, residents saw police and soldiers leaving the area with what appeared to be three bodies at the back of a pick-up. They later learnt that two of Guyana’s most wanted and feared bandits, Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins, and prison escapee Jermaine ‘Skinny’ Charles were cut down in a hail of bullets.
“When I first hear de thing I thought it was lightning, because last week lightning flash and a big hole end up in the road. But it is after then I get to realise it was bullets dem man deh firing,” one resident told Stabroek News.
The shooting of Fineman and Skinny happened just behind the village in an area where there are just about two buildings; one of them a half-built shack.
When Stabroek News arrived on the scene, residents were on the roadway discussing the shooting and many of them had shocked expressions on their faces, questioning how Guyana’s most wanted man had entered their village without them knowing. Members of the armed forces were still in the area conducting investigations.
One of the army’s recently acquired helicopters was also seen in the area and according to residents, both of the helicopters were flying over their area for some time yesterday morning. After spending some time on the ground, the helicopter left their area along with soldiers and police officers, some of them fingerprint experts.
From all indications, the men were attempting to escape the lawmen when they were cornered. A third man, identified as Shawn Grant, was reportedly shot behind the airport early yesterday morning.
Residents in the area aback of the Cheddi Jagan Interna-tional Airport, Timehri, told this newspaper that the shooting occurred in a bushy area behind their community. They said they had heard gunshots early yesterday morning and later saw soldiers leaving the area.
The other criminals had then attempted to escape but by then the soldiers had the area surrounded and there was no escape route.
From all indications, at least one man was shot in the half-built shack at Kuru Kururu, as blood and brain matter were evident in the floor.
One resident reported that the criminals were running through the grassy and sandy area without shirts. He said the men ran past him even as shots were being fired at them and he had cause to seek refuge. He was not only afraid of being hit by a stray bullet but he was also afraid of being mistaken for one of the men since he was also half-naked.
After the shooting most of the residents in the immediate area closed up their homes and left in a hurry. Their neighbours said some of them were afraid of being called informers, while others were just afraid of being in the area following such an operation.
Even children in the area were overheard discussing the incident and one child, about ten years old, even offered to take this newspaper into the area, which would have seen him trekking through grass taller than he is.
Celebration
According to residents following the shooting, the lawmen were in an obvious celebratory mood. “If yuh see high five with dem men, and some of dem even hug each other when dem come in the area after deh shooting,” one resident said.
“I glad dem man tek dem down, man. But I wonder how dem sure is Fineman,” one resident said as others praised the lawmen for their work. They pointed out that the lawmen carried out their operation in such a manner that most of the residents were only aware that something had happened after it was over.
“But wha I want know is how Fineman allow he self to get killed like duh man? Imagine dem man didn’t even wearing no shoes or nothing,” one bemused-looking resident said.
Heavy security
As Stabroek News travelled to the area, the East Bank public road and part of the highway were swarming with soldiers.
The pick-up with the bodies passed this newspaper’s vehicle in the vicinity of Eccles and there were two police outrider cars with sirens blaring. Several other police and army vehicles also followed behind. Three pairs of legs clad in camouflage pants were observed; there were no shoes on the feet. One of the army helicopters flew above the line of vehicles.
Stabroek News passed four roadblocks on the way to the scene and was stopped once by a soldier who wanted to know who authorized the vehicle’s windows having a light tint, but was allowed to proceed after identification was given. On the highway many soldiers were seen standing with their guns at the ready while others were sitting at the side of the road.
