Accused shooter among two held over Sophia fatal shooting

The two prime suspects in the murder of Sophia resident Jamal Munroe, including the alleged shooter, were arrested on Friday.

Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force Jairam Ramlakhan confirmed that suspects, an 18-year-old and a 31-year-old, both also of Sophia, were taken into custody and are assisting police with investigations.

Two other persons, including a female security guard, who is said to be the mother of the alleged shooter, were initially arrested. The woman allegedly provided her son with her service weapon, which was used to commit the crime.

Munroe, 24, a labourer of ‘C’ Field, Sophia, died on the evening of November 3 after he was shot multiple times about his body during a row.

Jamal Munroe

He sustained gunshot wounds to his legs, his lower back and his left hand. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.

The shooting occurred along the ‘C’ Field Access Road, around 10.45 pm.

The police, in a press release, had said that investigations revealed that Munroe and the suspect had an argument, during which he was shot.

While Stabroek News was told that Munroe’s girlfriend was at the centre of the argument between him and his assailant, the woman refuted the claims. She said Munroe was shot during an encounter with the suspect over a cell phone that was stolen from her.

This newspaper was told that Munroe’s girlfriend reportedly misplaced her cell phone at a shop and she subsequently saw the suspect picking up the phone when reviewing surveillance footage. As a result, a report was made to the Turkeyen Police Station and the suspect and his mother were taken into custody. They were later released after an agreement was reached to have the phone returned to its owner.

Munroe reportedly learnt of the incident and approached the suspect, resulting in the shooting.