Gunmen invade cockfight at Agricola, rob persons

A group of ‘cock fight’ lovers were on Monday attacked and robbed of their cash and other valuables by at least three armed men at Water Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown.
Based on reports received, the ‘cock fight’ competition is a regular activity in the community, especially on weekends and holidays, and would draw large gatherings of persons from various villages.
The bids are usually huge, and this is probably what enticed the gunmen to carry out the attack.
Guyana Times understand that at about 16:00h, the competitors and those gathered were busy cheering for their favourite “cock” when the armed men showed up on motorcycles.
On resident explained: “I was coming home and I see these boys with guns, but me ain’t [take] it serious, because I think is Police them. Next thing I hear is that they stick up the cock fight.
“The gunmen had them people at the cock fight like ‘scatter fowl’. I see a [little] boy run out the yard breathless. He tell me aunty, ‘They just rob we’,” another resident stated.
Further, this publication was told that those gathered at the ‘cock fight’ were seen running through people’s yards and scaling fences in an attempt to escape from the armed men.
After committing the robbery, the perpetrators calmly jumped onto their motorcycles and left the scene. The Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
‘Cock fighting’ is an illegal game that the Police have been trying to stop, but it continues in several villages, including Friendship, Sarah Johanna and other areas on the East Bank of Demerara.