Guard shot dead, chemist injured as gunmen storm Sterling Products

A security guard of Sterling Products is now dead and a quality assurance chemist critically injured after a swarm of gunmen stormed the Providence business last evening.

According to reports, Wilfred Steve Stewart, 45, of Graham’s Hall was on duty when about 10 bandits stormed the Provi-dence compound around 6.45 pm. Mario Gohill, 31, an Indian national, who is a chemist at the company, was also shot.

“Dem men dem jus’ buss the gate and start shooting,” one eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous, told Stabroek News.

The eyewitness recounted that the men entered the front gate of the business and quickly dealt with Stewart. They then proceeded to the eastern building in the compound, reportedly in search of the accounts department. All of them wore masks.

Injured: Mario Gohil
Injured: Mario Gohil

They subsequently left, “choked up” in a waiting vehicle, through the very entrance. While most reports indicate that it was a failed robbery, officials of Sterling Products told the media that they were yet to determine whether anything was stolen. Stewart’s gun was stolen.

Stewart reportedly died on the spot while Gohill was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Stewart’s body was later taken away by Lyken’s Funeral Parlour.

When Stabroek News arrived on the scene, a large number of persons had congregated inside the compound. There were large splotches of blood in the guard hut and broken glass on the floor.

Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Products Ramsay Ali told the media that the attack was an attempted robbery and further said that the company had some surveillance cameras. According to Ali, the police were reviewing the footage.

Meanwhile, Gohill was in the intensive care unit of the Diamond Hospital. When visited sometime after 9 pm, a source told this newspaper that doctors had operated in the man and admitted him to the hospital.

When contacted, Stewart’s widow was too emotional to speak. However, another relative told this newspaper that he had been employed as a security guard for 16 years.

The relative stated that the family received a call from an unknown person about the shooting and immediately rushed to Providence. “When I got the call, I just try to keep a calm and cool head,” the relative said. He went on, “All we know is he get shoot. We went to the hospital and then they take him to Lyken’s.”

Stewart is survived by his two daughters, ages 17 and 20, and his wife.