16-year-old critical after being struck by stray bullet at birthday party

A 16-year-old girl is fighting for her life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after she was struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident on Monday evening in Mango Lane, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
Reyna Depeazer of East La Penitence was reportedly attending a birthday celebration at the East Ruimveldt Learning Centre in Mango Lane when the incident occurred.

When Guyana Times visited the area on Tuesday, Depeazer’s mother and relatives were too distraught to speak about her condition. However, residents recounted the moments that led to the teenager being shot.
According to residents, Depeazer had been at the party but was last seen on a motorcycle with a female friend. It was reported that a man on a motorcycle crashed into a culvert next door to the venue. Moments later, a car reportedly sped into the street, apparently, and a man exited the vehicle, confronted the motorcyclist, and shouted, “I should have known it was you,” before pulling a firearm.
The first shot allegedly misfired, but the gunman fired two more rounds as the motorcyclist fled. The motorcyclist managed to escape without injury. However, Depeazer, who was reportedly on another motorcycle with a female friend, was caught in the crossfire.
“She and a girl were on the motorcycle riding towards where the party was being held…”, the resident said.
As the friend attempted to turn away from the scene, Depeazer was allegedly struck by bullets to the neck and arm. The teenager was rushed to GPHC, where she remains in critical condition.
Up to press time on Tuesday, police had not released an official statement regarding the incident. However, sources have indicated that the shooting may have stemmed from an ongoing feud involving rival gangs.
Meanwhile, members of the community have also raised concerns about the East Ruimveldt Learning Centre, where the party was being held. The facility, which was originally built as a learning centre for children, is now reportedly being rented out for activities that residents claim are inappropriate and unsafe.
One resident, expressing frustration over the situation, said, “I’m sorry to hear what happened to the girl, but I hope this is a lesson to the person renting it out to these people. The place should be used for what it was built for – the children of this community, not for these illegal activities and these kinds of parties.”
Investigations into the shooting are ongoing.