Teen caught in crossfire at East Ruimveldt party dies

– No official police statement as speculation grows

Sixteen-year-old Reyna Depeazer of East La Penitence, Georgetown, who was struck by two stray bullets while attending a birthday party at Mango Lane, East Ruimveldt, on Monday night, has died.

The teenager succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit since the night of the shooting.
The incident occurred around 21:00h on Monday outside the East Ruimveldt Learning Centre, where a party was being held. Depeazer was reportedly riding on a motorcycle with a female friend in the vicinity of the venue when the shooting took place.

Suspected cause of incident
Residents in the area told reporters that shortly before the shots were fired, a man on a motorcycle crashed into a culvert near the party location. Not long after, a car sped into the area, and a man exited the vehicle and confronted the motorcyclist. During the confrontation, the man allegedly accused the motorcyclist of being someone he recognised, pulled out a firearm, and attempted to shoot him. The first round reportedly misfired, but two more shots were discharged as the motorcyclist tried to escape.
Although the intended target fled unhurt, Depeazer, who was reportedly riding with her friend in the same direction as the incident, was caught in the gunfire. As the friend allegedly attempted to turn the motorcycle away from the area, Depeazer was struck by bullets to the neck and arm. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and remained unconscious until her passing on Wednesday.
Despite the severity of the incident and the fact that it occurred in a public area during a crowded event, the Guyana Police Force has not issued any official statement on the matter as of Wednesday afternoon.

Further speculations
The shooting has reignited concerns among East Ruimveldt residents over the current use of the East Ruimveldt Learning Centre. Originally constructed as a facility for the academic and developmental benefit of children in the community, the building is now reportedly being rented out for private parties and events.
Residents believe that the nature of some of these gatherings has led to unsafe conditions in the area and could be attracting criminal elements.
Other sources revealed that Monday night’s shooting may be connected to an ongoing feud between rival gangs.
This most recent incident follows another high-profile case of gun violence involving a minor. In July 2024, seven-year-old Jeremiah Gustave was shot in the head by a stray bullet while sitting at his mother’s food stall on Charles Street, Charlestown.
The child was seriously injured and spent several months in critical condition before passing away in March of this year.
The bullet that struck him was due to a crossfire between two men in the community.