East Ruimveldt vendor arrested after gunfire erupts at ‘Baderation’ concert

Pandemonium broke out at the National Park in Georgetown on Friday evening when gunshots were discharged during the dancehall concert dubbed “Baderation”, and hundreds of patrons had to run for cover.
Besides the gunshots, bottles were thrown in the air, resulting in some patrons receiving injuries. It was also reported that several persons were robbed, as was the Banks DIH Bar.
When the incident occurred, Jamaica dancehall artist Kevaun Douglas, known as “Skeng”, was on stage performing one of his popular tunes, “Protocol”.
Shaneil Muir and Akhenaton Lewis, known as ‘Young Bredda’, also performed at the show, which was organised by Hits and Jams Entertainment as part of their lineup of Genesis X Utopia events.
Following this unruly episode, Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken had a meeting with the organisers of the show at the Guyana Police Force Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown. At that meeting several issues regarding the breach of security and subsequent discharge of gunshots at the concert were discussed. Among those present at the meeting were Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’, Calvin Brutus; Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’, Ravindradat Budhram; Head of Special Branch, Errol Watts; Commander of Regional Division 4 ‘A’, Simon McBean; CCU Head, Mark Ramotar; and promoter of the ‘Baderation’ concert, Rawle Ferguson of HJ.
The security posture (and lack thereof) at the event was discussed, and recommendations were made for strict compliance prior to the hosting of any other such event in the future.

Some of the other issues discussed related to the stakeholders’ approach – with promoters, members of the Fire Service, GRA, and the Police; increased Police posture in partnership with the Private Sector; Prohibition of beverages in bottles (only plastic cups and bottles would be allowed); improved security search; metal detectors and scanners will be employed.
However, the Police have confirmed that a vendor from East Ruimveldt, Georgetown has been arrested while leaving the National Park with an illegal 9mm firearm with one live 9mm round of ammunition. He is presently in Police custody.
The Police have said they are presently reviewing the CCTV cameras and videos circulating on social media with a view to identifying and arresting persons who had discharged rounds in the air at the event in the National Park. As such, the Police are appealing to the general public, or anyone who might have knowledge or information (maybe phone videos), to share same with the Police, as this would assist investigators in identifying the perpetrator(s) who had fired shots at the event, causing chaos and panic.
Investigations are ongoing.