Security guard remanded on murder charge

A 22-year-old security guard has been charged with murder in the killing of Gerald Sobers, who died last week after being shot in the neck.
Osaffo Chester of Lot 60 Friendship, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was arraigned on Monday before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.
He was not required to plead to the indictable and was remanded until September 26.
Chester surrendered less than 24 hours after the Police had issued a wanted bulletin for him.
Sobers, aged 25 years of Paradise, ECD, was shot on July 2, while visiting a relative at Paradise.
After the shooting, Chester fled the scene; while Sobers was rushed to the hospital and doctors discovered that the bullet had struck his neck and exited through his spine, leaving him paralysed.
Despite medical efforts, Sobers passed away on July 29 while in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The following day, a wanted bulletin was issued for Chester, who later surrendered in the company of his lawyer.
It is believed that the incident stemmed from an encounter Sobers and Chester had a few weeks prior in which Sobers had reportedly asked to borrow an electric bike from Chester, who vehemently refused. That incident reportedly occurred outside a supermarket at Dazzell Housing Scheme, Paradise, ECD. The situation escalated quickly, and Chester allegedly threatened Sobers with his service firearm. Police were called to the scene by the supermarket owner, where Chester worked, resulting in both men being arrested and later charged.
They were awaiting their court hearing. (G1)