A businessman from Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), who was at the centre of a high-profile nightclub shooting in August 2023, has been freed after the Bartica Magistrate’s Court upheld a no-case submission on Tuesday.
Magistrate Teriq Mohamed ruled in favour of 46-year-old Vivendra Balgobin, a businessman of Fifth Avenue, Bartica, who was facing a charge of felonious wounding in connection with a shooting that injured two persons in August 2023. The court found that there was insufficient evidence for the matter to proceed to trial.
The man that received gunshot wounds, Conroy Cox
Balgobin’s Attorney, Bernard DaSilva made the no-case submission during the most recent hearing, arguing that the prosecution failed to provide credible evidence to support the charge. The Magistrate agreed, saying that the elements required to prove the offence had not been established.
The other charge, attempted murder, was formally withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) following a request made by the virtual complainant, Conroy Cox.
The charges stemmed from a violent altercation that occurred around midnight on August 30, 2023, at a popular nightclub in Bartica. During the incident, Conroy Cox, known as “Pink Boy,” and Lavella Douglas, an 18-year-old bystander, were both shot and injured.
According to Police investigations and reports submitted to the court, Cox had been inside the nightclub with a group of friends when a man, allegedly a friend of Balgobin, accidentally bumped into their table. The collision overturned several bottles and spilled beer, prompting an argument. Cox reportedly became angry and confronted the individual. At some point, Balgobin allegedly intervened, and a heated verbal exchange followed between him and Cox.
Vivendra Balgobin
The situation escalated when Cox, according to police, threw a liquid substance in Balgobin’s face and physically assaulted him. Following the altercation, Cox exited the nightclub, but later returned in his car and reportedly continued to verbally abuse Balgobin from outside.
Eyewitnesses claimed that as Cox exited his vehicle once more, Balgobin allegedly pulled out his licensed firearm from his waist and reportedly opened fire in Cox’s direction. Cox was hit three times to his stomach. Douglas, who was reportedly standing nearby and not involved in the dispute, was struck by a stray bullet in her right hand.
Public-spirited citizens who witnessed the shooting immediately intervened and transported both victims to the Bartica Regional Hospital for emergency treatment. They were subsequently treated and discharged.
Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva
Following the incident, Balgobin was arrested and charged. He made his first appearance before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on September 14, 2023, where the charge of attempted murder was read to him. He was granted bail in the sum of $800,000 on the condition that he lodge his passport with the court. The case was then transferred to Magistrate Mohamed, but the attempted murder charge was withdrawn and a felonious wounding charge was instituted.
