A suspect in custody for the recent murder of West Ruimveldt resident Paul Rodney has been identified as the shooter in a fatal robbery.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum yesterday told Stabroek News that the witness was identified as the person who shot and robbed Gregory Garraway more than two months ago, resulting in his death.
The case file has since been sent for legal advice and the suspect is likely to be charged with the two murders along with unlawful possession of the firearm.
Garraway, a resident of Russell Street, Charles-town, succumbed to his injuries on October 11, just over one week after he was shot and robbed of a gold chain on Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt.
He sustained a single gunshot wound to his chest and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, where he subsequently died.
Stabroek News had reported that on the night of the robbery, Garraway and his brother were liming in front a bar when he left to make a purchase at a shop located across the road. While crossing the road, he was accosted by a man who held him at gunpoint and began to relieve him of the gold chain he was wearing. A scuffle reportedly ensued and he was shot.
The suspect was one of the two persons who was arrested last Thursday in a house in South Ruimveldt, where an illegal firearm was discovered. He was subsequently linked to the fatal shooting of Rodney.
Rodney, 31, of Lot 530 West Ruimveldt, George-town was gunned down on the morning of November 21, while he was returning home from a dance in his community.
He was shot seven times about his body, including once to his chest, and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died 30 minutes later while receiving medical attention.
Several spent shells from a small-calibre weapon were discovered at the scene.
Stabroek News was told that Rodney was shot after he and the suspects were involved in an argument at a dance held at Avocado Avenue, West Ruimveldt. He reportedly attempted to escape, but was pursued and shot. His assailants reportedly made good their escape on a CG motorcycle.
The police had also arrested a man who had been self-treating a gunshot wound he sustained to his leg and a female staffer of a city pharmacy who allegedly provided him with antibiotics. But they have since been released. The wounded man is instead being treated as an eyewitness in the case.
A second suspect in the murder was arrested on Monday.
The suspect in the two murders is known to the police since he was previously charged with break and enter and larceny and armed robbery. In 2014, he was freed of the break and enter and larceny charge.
