“I still have a bullet in my back” – man tells court as shooting suspect charged

A 33-year-old construction worker was on Tuesday remanded to prison after being charged with discharging a loaded firearm during an alleged ambush that left a man shot in the chest and back at Leopold Street, Georgetown.
Sediyq Hunte, also known as “Jaugba,” of Cross Street, Werk-en-Rust, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he was not required to plead to the indictable offence. The charge alleges that on July 7, at Leopold Street, Work-en-Rust, Hunte discharged a loaded firearm at Calvin Lawrence with the intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm.

Hunte, who was represented by attorney Stacy Goodings, entered a not guilty plea. In applying for bail, Goodings told the court that her client has a fixed address at Lot 65, Cross Street, Werk-en-Rust, resides with his mother, and poses no flight risk. She claimed that Hunte was at home at the time of the incident and had no contact with the virtual complainant.
According to the attorney, Hunte’s mother reported hearing gunshots near Lawrence’s residence and recalled hearing Lawrence shout, “Who just shoot at me? a statement Goodings argued, suggests that Lawrence did not know who fired the shots.
Goodings further submitted that the men shared a strained history, alleging that Hunte had previously pointed out Lawrence in an unrelated fatal incident. Since then, she said Lawrence had threatened to “make an example” of her client.
However, the prosecution objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the allegations and the need to protect the virtual complainant. The court was told that Hunte and Lawrence had known each other for several years and that this was not the first time the accused had allegedly threatened Lawrence with a firearm. The prosecutor described the shooting as the second attempt on Lawrence’s life.
When granted permission to address the court, Lawrence gave a chilling account of the incident. He said he was riding his bike home and was approaching Hunte’s residence when he saw the accused waiting in an alleyway. Lawrence said Hunte opened fire as soon as he saw him. He claimed the accused pressed the gun to his chest before shooting, hitting him in both the chest and back.
“My Worship, I still have a bullet in my back. I have to go for surgery this week”, the tearful man told the court.
Despite his injuries, Lawrence said he managed to flee as Hunte pursued him on an XR motorcycle. He told the court that he was forced to beg for his life during the ordeal. Lawrence also stated that there is a surveillance camera in the area and claimed the footage would confirm that Hunte was the shooter.
In response to the allegations and concerns raised, Magistrate McGusty denied bail and ordered that Hunte be remanded. The case will continue on July 30. She also directed that the alleged video footage be submitted to the court for review, warning that if the evidence is not produced, the court will take alternative steps.