The ice factory owner who created havoc in Unity, Mahaica on Tuesday night when in a fit of rage, he discharged several rounds from his licensed firearm at his neighbour’s house while threatening to kill the occupants, has been released on $20,000 station bail.
This newspaper was reliably informed that the businessman who turned himself in at the Mahaica Police Station a day after the incident, was yesterday morning released on $20,000 station bail and told to report back to the station on Monday.
The man was noticed walking in the community mid yesterday morning. Several efforts by Stabroek News to make contact with the man were futile up to late yesterday afternoon.
Around 6 pm at Factory Road, the man who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol went into a yard next to his home and while using a series of expletives, discharged rounds at the house. The episode reportedly occurred because the man believed that his neighbour, Raywattie Sukprasad was gossiping with his wife and others about him.
During the shooting spree which saw at least six rounds being discharged, the occupants of the house managed to secure themselves inside the property until the man had left. There was no damage to the building.
A report could not be made at the station that night because of transportation difficulties but this was done the following morning. The occupants of the house handed over two spent shells which they retrieved from the front of the yard, to the police.
Police on that day visited the man’s residence three times but could not locate him. However when he turned himself in at the station the following day he reportedly told the ranks that he was shooting at alligators and not at the house or its occupants. He and several ranks returned to his home that day and collected the firearm which was used in the incident before the man was taken back to the station and placed in the lock-ups where he spent the night.
Stabroek News was told by at least three residents that the man was a menace to the community whenever he drinks alcohol.
A frightened Sukprasad had told this newspaper that the man had threatened to kill them if they (she and her family) came out of their home.
Following his detention, the woman had expressed the hope that charges will be laid.
Police are continuing their investigations into the incident.
