Cousin accused of shooting cop in head facing murder charge

Following the death of his cousin, 27-year-old Fawazz McRae has been slapped with a charge for the capital offence of murder when he made another appearance on Wednesday before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.
While his cousin, Police Sergeant Jermain Semple, had remained hospitalised on a life support machine, McRae, of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), was initially charged with attempted murder. That charge has since been withdrawn, and the upgraded charge instituted based on advice from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
McRae, a building contractor, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, and was remanded to prison by the presiding magistrate until April 14.
Sergeant Semple, 32, of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice (WCB), died without regaining consciousness on Friday, March 17 at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). He was stationed at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).
Reports are that on Sunday, March 12, the Policeman, his brother Dervon Semple and his cousin were imbibing at the Crown and Anchor Grill and Bar in Linden. At about 21:00h, a fight ensued between the cop and his brother, and during the altercation, the cousin went to make peace, and a fight then ensued between the Police Sergeant and his cousin.
Police, in a release, said that as a result, the cousin took out his licensed handgun, a .32 pistol, at about 21:30h, and discharged two rounds in the victim’s direction.
One struck the cop in his head, causing him to receive severe injuries.
He was then rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, but, due to the severity of his injuries, was transferred to the GPHC.
Police, in a statement, said the cousin was arrested and the firearm was retrieved, which contained four live rounds in the magazine and one live round in the chamber.
According to the Police, McRae received injuries to his left elbow and right ear during the fight, and was escorted to the hospital for medical attention. He was subsequently discharged from that hospital, and charged. Two .32 spent shells were found at the crime scene.
On Wednesday, March 15, he appeared in court charged for the offence of attempt to commit murder. Sergeant Semple was laid to arrest on Tuesday. (G1)