Customs officer granted bail for shooting, injuring horse cart operators

David Ali, a customs officer attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), who reportedly shot and injured two horse cart operators at Kersaint Park, La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Sunday, was on Thursday arraigned before Sparendaam Magistrate Rushell Liverpool on two counts of discharging a loaded firearm.

The 49-year-old Ali has been charged with discharging a loaded firearm with intent committed on Anil Persaud and Reygon Gonzales on March 13, 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Ali has been placed on bail in the sum of $100,000 on each charge, and the matter has been postponed to March 20, 2022.
It has been reported that on the day in question, at about 16:00h, the two horse cart operators had gone to an empty lot which is situated close to the suspect’s home to cut grass for their animals. Upon seeing this, the suspect allegedly discharged a loaded 9mm pistol belonging to the Guyana Revenue Authority in the direction of the two men.
As a result, one of the men received injuries to his right leg, while the other sustained injuries to his right foot.
After the shooting incident, both of the victims were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by Police, where they were admitted and underwent surgery.
The suspect was subsequently contacted, and he handed over his licensed 9mm pistol with 12 matching rounds in the magazine. He was told of the offence and cautioned, but he has since accused one of the men of attempting to enter his yard, and has said that in retaliation he discharged the firearm in the air and then in the direction of the men. Charges were subsequently instituted.