E’quibo miner shot dead in Sand Hill attack

Ray Wame Narine
Ray Wame Narine

A 22-year-old man was fatally wounded on Thursday and two others including his twin brother were injured after a father and son opened fire on them at a Sand Hill Landing, Cuyuni River shop.

Dead is Ray Wame Narine, of Spring Garden, Essequibo.

His twin brother, Ron Keme Narine, and Rakesh Chunilall, 30, a miner, of Goed Bananen Land, Berbice were injured.

Police yesterday confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the shooting, which occurred between 23.30hrs and 00.00hrs.

Efforts are being made to locate the father and son, whose address was given as Pearl Village, East Bank Demerara.

Ray was shot twice to his chest. His body was found covered with several branches. There were also lacerations to his abdomen and shoulder.

Ron was shot to his right arm while Chunilall sustained a single gunshot wound to his abdomen.

Sunday Stabroek understands that the twin brothers operate a dredge in Sandhill Backdam.

At the time of the shooting, they were sitting on the steps of a shop in the area. Chunilall was a customer of the shop.

It is suspected that the shooting stemmed from an altercation Ron and one of the suspects had last Saturday during which Ron relieved the man of a firearm and ammunition. The weapon has since been handed over to the police.

The police in a press release yesterday said that Ron related that around 23.30hrs, he and his brother left their mining operation and went to Sand Hill Landing, Cuyuni River.

He said while they were sitting on the front step of a shop, an XR motorcycle rode up with the suspects.

“The suspects dismounted the motorcycle, hurriedly walked towards their direction with what appeared to be handguns and started to discharge several rounds in their direction,” the police said.

While the twin brothers ran to escape, the suspects continued to shoot at them.

Ray collapsed. However, Ron said he continued running and sought refuge in some bushes where he remained for some two hours.

Upon emerging from his hiding place, he said he saw Ray’s lifeless body on the roadway.

Meanwhile, Chunilall told investigators that the suspects passed him on a motorcycle and parked in a dark area.

Thereafter, Chunilall said he saw the suspects approaching the brothers and pointed what appeared to be handguns at them.

Afterwards, he heard loud explosions which sounded like gunshots.

Upon hearing that, Chunilall said he and other persons who were at the shop ran. It was while running that he felt a pain in his abdomen.

Chunilall fell to the ground and became unconscious.  He was taken to the Bartica Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he underwent an emergency surgery.

His condition is listed as serious.