The Nigerian man who stabbed a State House guard five times remains in critical condition from injuries he suffered during a shootout in the vicinity of the premises.
An earlier report had said that the Nigerian man had died. Sources however say that his heart had stopped beating but he was resuscitated.
The Nigerian man has been identified as Dethiel Chimezie. The guard that he stabbed, Constable Telon Perreira remains in critical condition.
State House is the residence of President Irfaan Ali and his family.
The police say that the incident occurred at the southern guard hut on Carmichael Street at about 7.30 am today.
The police say that investigations revealed that a security detail was on duty at the southeastern guard hut adjacent to Carmichael Street when Chimezie confronted Perreira stating: “I want the President”.
The police said that Chimezie then drew a knife from his pants waist and stabbed Perreira five times including to his neck.
A rank who was part of the security detail was then relieved of their firearm by Chimezie.
Chimezie then drew the firearm, retreated to Carmichael Street and fired several rounds. The security detail returned fire, injuring Chimezie.
A 9mm pistol and seven 9mm spent shells were retrieved. Both Chimezie and Perreira were rushed to the GPHC for medical attention. Investigations are ongoing.
APNU+AFC today issued the following statement on the incident:
APNU+AFC’S INITIAL STATEMENT TO THIS MORNING’S INCIDENT AT STATE HOUSE
The APNU+AFC has noted the statements by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force on what the Ministry is describing as an attempted “breach of the Security Perimeter Process Unit at State House about 7:30 this morning.” As we await further details, we condemn in the strongest possible terms a resort to violence in any circumstances.
We welcome the news that the President and family are safe. We also take the opportunity to commend the Presidential Security Guard for his courage and wish him a full and speedy recovery from his serious injuries.