A 29-year-old fireman lost his life on Christmas Eve after he was shot by one of three gunmen who confronted him at the home of his girlfriend at Alness, Corentyne, Berbice during a robbery.
Delon Colins, of Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam, suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Port Mourant Hospital.
According to reports, Collins was driving vehicle PMM 6332 which belongs to Probation and Welfare Officer Nadine Crawford, 32.
The two, along with Crawford’s three children, were said to have been returning home from shopping at Rose Hall when the incident occurred around 11:30 pm.
Relatives of the woman said that they had just arrived at the house and the children exited the vehicle and went to open the gate when they were confronted by a man. It was reported that the children began screaming and their mother came out to investigate when she was attacked by the man.
She was said to have been choked, stripped of her jewellery and subsequently forced into the garage where more jewellery and cash was demanded.
Relatives related that the children were sent upstairs and returned with a sum of $17,000. However, police in a press release indicated that the perpetrators carted off jewellery in addition to $62,000 in cash.
Collins, who was still seated in the vehicle, became aware of what was happening and proceeded to confront the bandit, who was at this time joined by others.
The bandit allegedly fired a single shot and Collins collapsed after which the perpetrators made their escape.
Neighbours, who were said to have heard the gunshot, ran to render assistance and had the man transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Relatives of Collins told this newspaper that they have doubts that it was indeed a robbery and opined that the incident was staged. They are calling on police to conduct a thorough investigation.
