A security guard was yesterday charged with possession of an Intratec 9 mm Luger submachine gun, which police said he used to shoot at a woman and then tried to stash in a septic tank when law enforcers approached him.
Edward Hubert McCollin, 35, of Lot 67 South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the city, after he pleaded not guilty to the two charges read to him.
It is alleged that on June 5, at East La Penitence, McCollin had the submachine gun without being the holder of a firearm licence. He is also accused of unlawfully and maliciously discharging the weapon at Umbelita Grant on the same day with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause her actual bodily harm.
According to the police, ranks on duty, after hearing what appeared to be gunshots, went in the direction from where the shots were coming and encountered Grant, who told them that McCollin attempted to shoot her.
Police subsequently pursued McCollin, who they say started to run up the road after seeing them approaching and then he threw the firearm in a septic tank. He was subsequently apprehended and was charged.
Attorney Adrian Thompson made an application for bail to be granted to McCollin, whom he said is the security guard for a mining firm. Thompson noted that his clients carries a weapon for the company to protect the business but noted that the man had no knowledge of the firearm mentioned in the charge.
But Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail and urged the court to find that the submission made by the attorney did not amount to special reasons for bail to be granted. As a result, the magistrate upheld the prosecution’s objection and bail was refused. The case was adjourned to June 23.
