Nine days after journalist, Travis Chase, escaped what was described as an attempt on his life and six days after a ballistic test was done on his firearm after the Guyana Police Force stated that the shell case markings from the bullets supposedly intended for him had “significant similarities” with test bullets from his gun, the Force has been silent on the results of that test.
It was on Monday evening at 19.30 hours, that Chase narrowly evaded what was described as an attempt on his life at the intersection of D’Urban Street and Cemetery Road in Georgetown. It was reported that a lone gunman on a motorcycle opened fire on Chase as he was exiting his car, prompting Chase to seek cover. After firing several rounds, the gunman escaped on his motorcycle as an off-duty cop attempted pursuit.
An investigation was launched and Chase’s car was found to have three bullet holes in the left rear.
Two days later, police indicated that the investigators had recovered spent shells from the scene and submitted them to the Crime Laboratory for testing. The test, the force disclosed in a release, showed that the shell casings from the bullets intended for Chase had “significant similarities” with the pattern established by the gun he owns.
“One of the expert firearm examiners within the laboratory compared the aforementioned shell casings with the specimen shell casings that were obtained from Mr. Chase when he had just purchased and registered his firearm, and the preliminary test result reveals significant similarities between these spent shells.”
As a result, investigators invited Chase to surrender his licensed firearm for further analysis to be conducted.
Chase in response to the statement painted it as “absolute nonsense” and said that the CCTV footage in the area would corroborate his version of the events. He stressed that he had his firearm when the incident occurred and at no time did he fire a single shot from his weapon.
Additionally, he mentioned that his hands were never swabbed, remarking, “They know very well why they want to keep my weapon.”
The report from the Force has triggered some debate publicly about the incident with some arguing that the incident was planned, while some are insisting it was not.
This incident has also put the case under the public microscope with sections of society calling for the results to be known.
Stabroek News yesterday contacted Commander “A” Division, Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean, who when asked about ballistic results, responded, “All that is part of the investigation. The ballistic test was completed. That’s not a separate matter; it is part of the investigation and it will be part of the file.”
McBean added that the firearm was also tested and was later returned to Chase.
When asked about the results of the ballistic test, he said that he would not be able to say since he has not had a chance to look at it.
He reiterated that the firearm was solely taken for the ballistic test to be done and the firearm was returned.
The Guyana Press Asso-ciation (GPA) has called for a thorough investigation into the shooting.
“This is not the first time unknown persons have targeted Chase. In June 2020, Chase’s vehicle was burnt. No one was charged in this matter.
“The GPA calls on the authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. Journalists must be allowed to work without threats to their lives and livelihood. The GPA has since notified its regional and international partners of this development.”
Chase, through his attorney, Nigel Hughes, has written to the Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, requesting an apology for allowing video recordings of Chase’s consultation with his lawyer in the police ballistic department, when he (Chase) visited the police to hand over his weapon for testing as was requested and also for those recordings to be deleted in their presence.
