Armed gunmen went on a rampage in the capital early this morning, attacking two police stations and setting fire to the High Court building and a public school.
A joint services contingent later launched an operation at Agricola, East Bank of Demerara, where the gunmen were reportedly trailed after carrying out a series of seemingly coordinated pre-dawn attacks. A vehicle believed to have been used by some of the gunmen was found abandoned at Houston, East Bank Demerara.
In a drive-by attack, gunmen unleashed a barrage of bullets on the Brickdam Police Station and the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost. At least two policemen were injured in the Brickdam attack, which was concentrated on the barracks where the lawmen were asleep. The gunmen drove off after the attack, firing indiscriminately and leaving residents of the area in terror. No injuries were reported from the assault on the East Ruimveldt Outpost.
Meanwhile, armed men stormed the High Court compound and held up two female guards on duty. The men then hurled channa bombs at the court registry before fleeing. Fire-fighters managed to put out the fire, which is believed to have destroyed a significant amount of records housed in the registry.
Fire-fighters were shortly after called to respond to a fire at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School. Fire-fighters also managed to contain the fire. According to reports, it was clear that an attempt was made to set the entire school ablaze and bottles filled with kerosene were later discovered at the scene.
Police Commissioner Henry Greene has scheduled a news conference for later this afternoon.
