Updated: Suspected gunman dies; family disputes police account

Last Updated on Sunday, 24 August 2014, 15:46 by GxMedia

A suspect, who allegedly dropped a gun and ammunition after he was shot, died at a private hospital early Sunday morning after undergoing emergency surgery for a bullet wound.

Dead is is 26-year old Dexter Lindo of Shell Road, Kitty. He succumbed to his injury about 5 PM at the Balwant Singh Hospital.

Family members are disputing the circumstances surrounding the incident that led to his death. Lindo’s father does not believe that his son was in possession of a gun that police said he drew on the licensed firearm holder who responded by shooting him. 

Guyana Police Force spokesman, Ivelaw Whittaker said that about 1:15 PM Saturday, two men armed with handguns entered the Wayne Beverage Paradise stall at Merriman’s Mall, Bourda, Georgetown. Upon seeing the men, the female owner ran and raised an alarm and a licensed firearm holder responded.

Whittaker said the two armed men entered a waiting motor vehicle driven by an accomplice and were tracked by the licensed firearm holder in his vehicle and who subsequently saw the getaway car at Light and Fifth Street, Alberttown.

The licensed firearm holder confronted a man who had exited the car and entered a shop in the area, during which Lindo allegedly pulled out a firearm and was shot to his abdomen by the licensed firearm holder. Lindo, however, managed to escape on foot, but the unlicensed .32 Beretta Pistol with 4 rounds that he had in his possession was recovered and handed over to the police, said Whittaker.

The vehicle used by the perpetrators has been detained by the police as the investigations continue.