Francisco Lima De Aguilar, the Brazilian national who allegedly shot a police officer at Aranka Backdam last month, was yesterday remanded to prison after he was read an attempted murder charge at a city court.
Lima De Aguilar, 54, was not required to plead to the indictable charge after it was read by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court One yesterday.
The charge alleged that on May 26th, 2019, at Aranka Backdam, Cuyuni River, with intent to commit murder, Lima De Aguilar discharged a loaded firearm at Anthony Weekes, Police Constable 22854.
Lima De Aguilar was represented by attorney Mark Waldron, who told the court that Lima De Aguilar, who has a fixed place of abode at Lot 75 Church Street, Bourda, is the owner of a gold mining operation at Aranka. He stated that Lima De Aguilar was not at his camp during the time of the incident and was willing to submit to any condition which the court would seek to impose if granted bail. Waldron revealed that Lima De Aguilar was not arrested by the police but instead chose to turn himself in after a wanted bulletin was issued for him.
Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted to Lima De Aguilar, citing the serious nature and the prevalence of the offence, in addition to the fact that a firearm was used. He also stated that Lima De Aguilar was a flight risk since there was no evidence that proves that he lives at the address that was given to the court or if he is a citizen of Guyana.
Mansfield then stated that on the day in question, ranks received information that Lima De Aguilar was in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition at his camp site. Weekes along with other ranks went to Lima De Aguilar’s mining camp and identified themselves as Police Officers to him. Subsequently, Lima De Aguilar, who allegedly had a handgun in his possession, pointed the gun in the direction of the officers and discharged four rounds of live ammunition. During the shootout, Weekes was reportedly struck with a bullet to his chest, which exited through his side and grazed his arm. The ranks then retreated and Lima De Aguilar escaped. Weekes, after being flown out of the area, was admitted to a hospital in Georgetown after which he was discharged. On June 10th, 2019, Lima De Aguilar went to the Criminal Investigation Department and turned himself in.
Police previously said they unearthed 36 .38 rounds of ammunition and a warhead at the camp after the shootout.
Chief Magistrate McLennan, noting that the prosecutor’s submission stated that the defendant is a flight risk and the fact there was no evidence that he is a citizen of Guyana, remanded Lima De Aguilar to prison until June 19th, 2019, when the matter will be called at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
