Miner fatally shot at Rockstone

The shotgun that was recovered by the police at the scene yesterday.
The shotgun that was recovered by the police at the scene yesterday.

A 19-year-old miner died after he was shot in mysterious circumstances on Monday evening and the police have since recovered a shotgun that is suspected to have been used to inflict the fatal wound.

Dead is Joel Amad, a resident of Anarika, Essequibo River. He sustained a single gunshot wound to his chest and was rushed to the Linden Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Reports reaching Stabroek News revealed that the shooting occurred at about 7.20 pm at Lot 17 Miles, Rockstone Village, Essequibo River, shortly after Amad left his reputed wife’s house for hunting.

Enquiries, this newspaper was told, disclosed that Amad visited his reputed wife’s home on Monday, where he spent the entire day. Later that evening, he left for hunting and informed her that he would return in time for dinner. Amad then proceeded in the direction of the backyard and into a trail.

Shortly after, the woman heard a loud explosion suspected to be the sound of a gunshot coming from the said direction and Amad was shouting. As a result, she then grabbed a torch light and rushed into the trail where she discovered Amad’s lifeless body in a pool of blood.

The woman immediately ran for assistance and escorted Amad to the hospital. Stabroek News also understands that the village Toshao, Flagan Carter told the police that he learnt of the incident after village councillor Floyd Sharple related to him that Amad had shot himself.

Investigators yesterday returned to the scene where they recovered an improvised 12-gauge shotgun, a short distance from where Amad’s body was found.

Investigations are ongoing. An autopsy will be performed on Amad’s remains today.