Teen, businessman killed, several injured in suspected Buxton gang shooting

Dead: Leon McFarlene

Two men were killed and several others wounded in a late-night shooting at a shop in Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Tuesday, in what Police believe may be a gang-related attack.
The incident occurred just before midnight at a shop located at Lot 69 Middle Walk, Buxton, and was reported to the Police around 23:47h. The deceased have been identified as 17-year-old Leon McFarlene of Lot 71 Middle Walk and 38-year-old businessman Mark Anthony Correia of Lot 75 Republic Drive, Beterverwagting.
Several others were injured during the hail of gunfire. Among the wounded are a 60-year-old man from Side Line Dam; a 54-year-old, an 18-year-old and a 26-year-old Special Constable from Middle Walk, and a 35-year-old from Friendship, ECD. A 17-year-old boy, who also resides in Middle Walk, was also hurt.

Dead: Mark Anthony Correia

Investigations so far reveal that McFarlene, Correia, and the injured individuals were gathered at the shop, which is operated by a 41-year-old businesswoman. The businesswoman reportedly told Police that the men were playing cards and dominoes in the shop when she retired to bed around 23:00h, leaving them there. Less than an hour later, she said she was startled by loud noises that sounded like gunshots.
She stated that she went outside and saw Correia slumped over the table with what looked like blood coming from his mouth, nose, and back. She claimed that she raised an alarm, and neighbours rushed to the scene.
They assisted in transporting the injured men to the hospital. McFarlene was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to Police, he sustained suspected gunshot wounds to the right hand, chest, face, forearm, and right foot. His body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn meeting with the families of 17-year-old Leon McFarlene and Mark Anthony Correia who were killed on Tuesday

Correia was taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital, where he was also pronounced dead. Police said upon investigation, gunshot injuries were observed to his back, left ear, left shoulder, chest, right palm, left jaw, and above the right eye. His body was later moved to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home pending an autopsy.
The other men remain hospitalised at Georgetown Public Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment for gunshot injuries. At least one of them is said to be under Police guard as the investigations deepens.

The scene where the shooting occurred

Crime scene investigators recovered 40 spent shells at the location, including one .40 calibre round, 29 5.56x45mm casings, and 10 7.62x39mm casings. They also found four projectiles and two metal fragments on the ground inside the shop. All items were photographed, collected, and lodged as evidence.
Police said they have received additional information that a silver-coloured motor car was seen circling the area before the shooting. Investigators believe the gunmen used the vehicle to carry out the attack and then made their escape in it.
According to Police, one of the injured men is known to have ongoing problems with a gang that identifies itself as “Team Diamond”.
The Guyana Police Force continues to question persons of interest and is urging members of the public with any information to come forward as it works to bring those responsible to justice.

Minister’s visit
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on Wednesday visited the scene of the shooting. He also met with the families of McFarlene and Correia.
Benn was accompanied by Regional Commander 4C, Assistant Commissioner K Pareshram and team.