Cops probing Cotton Tree, Triumph shooting deaths

The police today said they are probing two shooting deaths including one at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice where a rice farmer was confronted by a man on horseback.

Eve Leary said that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Ramzam Ally, 27 years of Cotton Tree, WCB, which occurred at about 1630h. yesterday in the Cotton Tree Backdam.

Police said it is reported that a rice-farmer who is a licensed firearm holder was proceeding into the Cotton Tree Backdam in a motor vehicle, when he was allegedly confronted by Ally who was on horseback and was armed with a handgun and who threatened to kill him.

“During this, the rice-farmer discharged a round from his shotgun which struck Ramzan Ally to his upper body.

“The body of Ramzan Ally was subsequently found on a dam in the Cotton Tree Backdam and a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol with two rounds was found in the area by the police”, police said.

The licensed firearm holder is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

In the second incident, police said they are probing the circumstances surrounding the death of Parmaul Rampersaud called “Rommel”, 24 years of Agriculture Road, Triumph, ECD.

Police said that investigations so far revealed that around 2315h yesterday, Rampersaud and other persons, including a licensed firearm holder, were in a car travelling along the Lusignan Public Road, ECD, after leaving a wedding reception.

“It is alleged that the firearm holder, who was in the rear seat, was attempting to clear his firearm when two rounds were discharged which struck Parmaul Rampersaud, who was in the front passenger seat, to his back and right arm”, the police said.

Rampersaud was pronounced DOA at the GPHC.  The licensed firearm holder is in police custody assisting with the investigations.