Two arrested in Berbice over Laing Avenue killing

Police ranks in Region Six on Monday arrested two persons – including a 16-year-old boy –  who were wanted in connection with the murder of Dexter Mc Farlane who was  caught in a crossfire as two groups shot  at each other on Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown on Friday.

Commander of Region Six, Shivpersaud Bacchus yesterday confirmed, that an intelligence-led operation resulted in the arrest of the duo at Number 53 Village Corentyne on Monday at about 16:00 hours and 17:45 hours.

The suspects, Shemroy Patterson, 23, a security of guard of Lot 164 Castello Housing Scheme, Linden, and a 16-year-old of Albouystown have since been handed over to investigators handling the matter.

Last evening the police issued a wanted bulletin for Andrew Ridley, 30, in connection with the murder of McFarlane.  Ridley’s last known address is Lot 173, Campbell Street, Albouystown.

Stabroek News had previously reported that McFarlane, 53, was shot and killed at about 17:00hrs on Friday, November, 11, during a shootout among four young men at Second Bridge, Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt.

It was said that the now-dead man had finished working that afternoon and had just stepped off a bus and was walking to go home through a shortcut in the area when he was hit by a bullet.

McFarlane is survived by his wife and his 80-year-old mother with whom he resided along with other family members. 

When Stabroek News visited McFarlane’s home at Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown on Friday, his family and friends were all gathered in the yard still trying to come to grips with the man’s death. The man’s niece, Nefta McFarlane-Wilson, said that her family is demanding justice since her uncle died innocently.

“We are trusting God that the law will take its course and our family will be given justice…we are calling for justice and the police need to do their work because my uncle lost his life innocently…he’s a hardworking man and he didn’t deserve to die like that.”

“My uncle went to work as usual and on his way back from work there was a shoot-out and unfortunately he was caught in the way and so he subsequently died,” added the woman.

Another family member who wished not to be named said that based on what was said at the crime scene by eyewitnesses, the shoot-out started at Independence Boulevard in Albouystown between four men who are said to be involved in gangs and eventually ended at Laing Avenue where it ended in tragedy.

“It is being peddled that it was between two gangs that included four persons, two were on motorcycle and two were running…the shooting started from the Boulevard (Independence Boulevard), one of the men that were running is from the Boulevard so that’s where the shooting started and then they ran through the Front Road area and then came through second bridge (Laing Avenue) where they were still shooting and is around there through a short cut that a bullet hit Dexter when he was walking coming home.”

The family said that they were informed by the police that some suspects were apprehended. “…I’m not sure what caused the whole problem between the two groups of men but as it is right now somebody was apprehended by the police but we’re not sure how many were and who it was.”