One man is dead while another is wounded after they were both allegedly shot by a businessman yesterday at Powis Backdam, Five Star, North West District.
Police identified the dead man only as “Emanuel” while the wounded man was unidentified up to press time.
In a statement, police said that the two men went to the businessman’s shop, where they requested goods on credit, to which the businessman refused. An argument subsequently ensued between the three, during which it is alleged that the businessman pulled out a firearm and shot the two men. “Emanuel” succumbed to his injuries, while the unidentified injured man was taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital.
This newspaper understands that the injured man is scheduled to be flown into the city today, for transfer to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The police statement said that the suspect fled the scene and has not yet been arrested.
Recently, there has been an upsurge in serious crimes in the backdams of the North West District. Several persons have been killed, mainly by stabbing and beatings.
This is the first fatal shooting in the area for the year. In June, Charles Tang was stabbed to death at Big Creek Landing. The 23-year-old miner was drinking with another miner, when an argument developed between them, following which Tang was fatally stabbed.
In the most recent murder case, 19-year-old Kenny Creame, a miner, also was beaten to death during an argument at Monessee Backdam, Port Kaituma. Creame had an argument with two men, during which he was beaten about his body. The suspects in his murder are expected to be charged shortly.
Sometime last month, at Five Star Backdam, a Brazilian miner was shot several times by gunmen who invaded his mining camp. Reports were that Felix Defoima was “washing down” when the gunmen invaded and unleashed a barrage of gunfire, later escaping with an undisclosed quantity of raw gold. Defoima was rushed to the Port Kaituma Hospital, and later air dashed to the city.
Fortunately he escaped being another fatality in the ‘E and F’ Division, where the vast landscape and scattered population sometimes make it difficult for police to solve crimes.
