-suspect on the run
Police in Linden are investigating the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident at Linden, which occurred in wee hours of Sunday morning, leaving two people seriously injured and the perpetuator on the run.
Injured are Simone Croal, 41, of lot 604 Half Mile, Wismar and her cousin Sherwin “Cuttie” Hughes. Reports indicate that the two were shot multiple times about the body by Croal’s estranged husband Calwyn “Alex” Croal also known as “Brother”of Blueberry Hill, Wismar.
The incident occurred at Canvas City, Wismar around 01:45hr while Hughes and his wife were transporting Croal by car to her home. Hughes was shot in his arm and back, while Croal was shot several times to her right arm and once to her leg and chest. Both were rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) but were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
According to reports, Calwyn Croal was reportedly waiting in the yard of his estranged wife’s home and opened fire as the vehicle as she was about to exit. An eyewitness told this newspaper that after several shots were fired, Hughes attempted to drive off but soon abandoned the vehicle while it was still in motion, as the occupants attempted to seek cover. Eyewitnesses recalled hearing about seven gunshots.
In a bid to escape the hail of bullets, the car, which was driven by Hughes slammed into several cars parked along the roadway, and a concrete fence before it finally came to a halt. Hughes’ wife Annie escaped without injuries.
According to Simone Croal’s family, the couples who have six children together, have been estranged for some time now, however, the man would often visit the home to see his children. The relationship between the two, who had been together for over 20 years, has been described as an “abusive one” which has in times past led to several Police reports.
Speaking with this newspaper, a family member noted that on Saturday evening, Simone was assisting Hughes and his wife at their stall located on the Mackenzie arcade, Linden, when her estranged husband went there and started to verbally and physically abuse her. He reportedly hit her to the head with a bottle during the altercation. Afterward, he reportedly made off with her bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash, her cellular phone and her identification card. Subsequently, she along with the cousin and his wife then proceeded to make a report to the Police Station. They then left after being told that Police would be on the lookout for the suspect. It was while returning home some time later that they were attacked. Police later found the suspect’s car abandoned at the “Buck Town” Creek at Blueberry Hill, Wismar and his estranged wife’s bag, minus the money at another location. According to one of the couple’s children, the suspect called family members several times after the shooting incident to find out if wife was dead, while they noted that he indicated that he committed the act because she was “too disrespectful”. They noted too that following the first incident he returned to his estranged wife’s home with her phone and became upset after combing through several text messages. It was then that they noted that he waited outside the house for her return. The couple’s 22 year-old daughter indicated that he arrived at the home shortly before the shooting incident and inquired about her mother’s whereabouts. She said she became nervous after realizing that something was amidst since he was without shirt and his head was tied. She pointed out that she spotted what appeared to be a gun in his waist. The woman who witnessed the incident said she failed in conveying signals to the occupants of the car that something was amiss.
Calwyn Croal was recently wanted in connection with an armed robbery, for which Police had issued a wanted bulletin. He later turned himself in and was questioned in relation to the incident. While he was not charged, E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) Commander Brutus had stated that the evidence against Calwyn Croal was highly circumstantial. He had also recently joined a line of protestors at Linden, against acts of alleged Police brutality. Based on Police report, Calwyn Croal is now wanted in connection with the attempted murder of the duo. Investigations are ongoing.
