Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) came under attack on Wednesday morning as they attempted to arrest a cutlass-wielding man of unsound mind at the Leonora market, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
In a video circulated on social media, it was observed that the man climbed on to the roof of a building while Police were trying to apprehend him. During that time, the man was seen firing several chops in the direction of the officers.
The man’s relatives were overheard saying that his name is ‘Buddy’, and that he suffers from a mental illness.
The man on the roof of a building
Residents of the area allege that after law enforcement officers came under attack, they threatened to shoot the man. In the video, relatives were heard screaming.
The man later surrendered, since persons in the video were heard telling the officers “No! No! Look, he already surrendered!”
While details remain sketchy, Guyana Times has been informed that the man was wanted by Police for chopping to death a 30-year-old ‘male street dweller’ in an incident which occurred on January 4. That street dweller used to be in the market, where he also slept. On January 4, a resident said he was at home when he heard someone calling out to him.
As such, he went out to enquire, and his handyman indicated to him that a street dweller had been chopped in the market.
He was heading into the market when he saw a male who frequents the market area on a daily basis. The man had a cutlass in his hand and he was walking away from the scene.
The victim was picked up and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.
Several calls to Regional Commander Errol Watts for more information on Wednesday’s incident have proved futile. (G9)
