Richard Hayes, the Police Lance Corporal who was allegedly murdered by a 37-year-old Vreed-en-Hoop businessman, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Police Headquarters reported that the incident occurred around 09:00 hrs on Thursday. The businessman, who has not yet been named, is in custody.
In a release, Police said investigations revealed that Hayes and the businessman are not known to each other. However, the suspect owns and operates a cellular phone stall on the northern side of Stelling Road, Vreed-en-Hoop. Additionally, the suspect is a licensed firearm holder of a .32 Taurus pistol.
Hayes reportedly went to the suspect’s business place sometime Wednesday afternoon and spoke to the businessman about purchasing a cellphone.
At about 09:00 hrs Thursday, Hayes reportedly returned to the suspect’s business place, where he walked into the stall and stated that he came to buy a phone and walked back out of the stall.
Police related that the suspect said he was packing several boxes in his store when Hayes arrived; the businessman claimed Hayes became hostile, and as such, he (the businessman) told the Policeman to leave.
“Hayes continued his hostile behaviour and it is alleged that he picked up a cellphone heater gun, which was on the display counter and threw it at the suspect, hitting him on his chest area. During the confrontation, the suspect drew his firearm and discharged one round in the direction of Hayes, hitting him in his right side chest area, which caused him to receive injuries,” Police said in the release.
It was further noted that upon hearing the loud explosion of a gunshot, Ron Hayes, who is the brother of the Policeman and who operates a Barber Shop opposite the suspect’s business place, rushed over and, on his arrival, saw his brother bleeding from his chest area. Ron then took the Policeman to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in his motor car, where he was treated for his injuries and subsequently succumbed.
The man’s body was examined at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, and one suspected gunshot wound was seen on his right side chest area.
Meanwhile, the suspect was arrested and placed into custody pending investigation. His firearm and license were seized and lodged. Also, the suspect was processed for gunshot residue. He remains in custody pending further investigation.
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