Almost two weeks after a baggage handler attached to Trans Guyana Airways was gunned down during a robbery at Camp Street, Georgetown, a 43-year-old man was on Wednesday charged with his murder. Allistair Naughton, called “Foots” or “Markey” of East La Penitence, Georgetown, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on May 28, 2021, at Camp Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of others, he murdered Ronald Omar Smith during the course or furtherance of a robbery. He was remanded to prison until July 6, 2021.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had said that 40-year-old Smith of Wakapao, Pomeroon, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was fatally shot by two bandits on a motorcycle as he was talking to his girlfriend in front of the Impeccable Beauty Salon on Camp Street.
Police said that investigations revealed that Smith had made several stops, conducting business in and out of the city, in the company of a miner, who was driving him in motor car PZZ 6065. According to Police, Smith sold some gold and placed the $437,000 he received as payment in a haversack and went to visit his girlfriend.
Dead: Ronald Omar Smith
It was further reported that the couple were standing in front of the salon when the bandits approached them on an XR motorcycle. According to Police, the pillion rider dismounted and discharged two rounds at Smith, who fell to the ground.
The bandit then snatched Smith’s haversack which contained the cash, after which he and his accomplice made good their escape north on Camp Street. The injured man was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.
Police said that Smith was shot to his upper left shoulder, mid- abdomen, and under the right armpit.
