After gun attack: Berbice man charged for attempting to kill ex-partner

A 28-year-old man has been remanded to prison after appearing before the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on gun-related charges stemming from an incident earlier this month.
Damon Morgan of Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, East Canje, was charged with the attempted murder of Vasanti Gordon, a 27-year-old makeup artist from Islington, Greater New Amsterdam. He was also charged for discharging a loaded firearm with intent.

Police had reported the alleged discharging of a loaded firearm with intent committed on a 27-year-old self-employed woman, which occurred on April 11, 2026, at Islington Village, East Bank, Berbice. Initial reports indicate that Gordon and 28-year-old Morgan, were previously in a relationship that ended recently amid allegations of infidelity and physical abuse.
According to Police enquiries, Gordon was seated in her motor car when Morgan allegedly approached her armed with a handgun and discharged several rounds in her direction, striking her in the lower body. He also reportedly dealt her a blow to the head with the weapon and issued threats to kill her. She was rushed to the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, where doctors observed multiple puncture wounds to her right leg and thigh and admitted her.
Morgan appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias, where Prosecutor Sergeant Collin Clark informed the court that the case file remains incomplete and further work is required based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The prosecution objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the use of a firearm in the incident. The court was also told that Morgan is a repeat offender with a robbery matter currently before the court for which he is already on bail.
Attorney-at-law Stacy Gooding, who appeared for Morgan, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that her client has since turned his life around. She told the court that the 28-year-old, a former taxi driver who operated in the New Amsterdam/Canje area, is now gainfully employed as a heavy-duty machine operator in the interior after completing training, where he reportedly placed third in his class.
Gooding further submitted that Morgan must be presumed innocent and has been attending court for his pending matter and would do the same if granted bail in this case. She also noted that no wanted bulletin was issued for him and that he voluntarily turned himself in to the Police after learning of the allegations through social media.
However, the prosecution submitted that immediately after the shooting, Police gave chase, but Morgan escaped on a motorcycle and subsequently went into hiding. As such, the prosecution maintained that he poses a flight risk.
In response, Magistrate Michelle Matthias acknowledged the defence’s argument that Morgan may have attempted to reform but stressed the seriousness of the offence. She also noted that the accused did not present himself to Police on the day of the incident or shortly after, raising concerns about whether he would return to court if granted bail.
Morgan was remanded to prison, and the matter was adjourned to May 14.
The court also heard that the injured woman has since been discharged from the hospital but remains unable to move around, which prevented her from attending the proceedings.