Late-night shooting in Buxton leaves two dead, several injured

Two persons are dead and several others injured following a shooting incident which occurred at 23:47 hrs on Tuesday at Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, by person(s) unknown.

Police are investigating the alleged murders of Leon McFarlene, a 17-year-old unemployed resident of Lot 71 Middle Walk, Buxton, and Mark Anthony Correia, a 38-year-old businessman of Lot 75 Republic Drive, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, and the attempted murder committed on Linden Adams, a 60-year-old unemployed resident of Side Line Dam, Buxton; Alwin Fiffee, a 54-year-old resident of Middle Walk, Buxton; Davel Talbot, a 26-year-old Special Constable of Middle Walk, Buxton; Akeem Tuman, an 18-year-old resident of Middle Walk, Buxton; Sherwin Nero, a 35-year-old from Friendship, East Coast Demerara; and a 17-year-old male of African descent (name withheld) from Middle Walk, Buxton.

Enquiries disclosed that the two deceased and the injured persons were at a shop owned by Asha Robinson, a 41-year-old businesswoman of Lot 69 Middle Walk, Buxton, playing cards and dominoes when, at about 23:00 hrs on July 15th, she retired to bed, leaving the mentioned persons in the shop.

The businesswoman stated that at about 23:47 hrs, she heard several loud explosions (sounding like gunshots) and went outside, where she saw Mark Correia in a slumped position at the table with what appeared to be blood oozing from his mouth, nose, and back. She raised an alarm, and public-spirited persons responded and assisted in taking the other injured males to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where Leon McFarlene was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body of McFarlene was examined, and suspected gunshot wounds were seen on the right hand, chest, face, forearm, and right foot. His body was escorted to the GPHC Mortuary for storage and post-mortem examination. Correia’s body was subsequently escorted to the Enmore Regional Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. He was examined, and suspected gunshot injuries were seen on his back, left ears, left shoulder, chest, right palm, left jaw, and one above the right eye. His body was later taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for storage and post-mortem examination.

The others who sustained suspected gunshot injuries are currently admitted patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, receiving treatment. The scene was processed by investigators, and forty spent shells were recovered—comprising one .40, twenty-nine 5.56×45, and ten 7.62×39. Four projectiles and two fragments were also found on the ground in the shop. These were photographed, packaged, and lodged.

Based on additional information received, a silver-coloured motorcar bearing registration number PVV 7616 or 7661 was seen circling the area. This was the car that the suspects reportedly used to carry out the attack, after which they rejoined the car and made good their escape. Several persons were questioned, and certain information was received indicating that one of the injured persons has an ongoing problem with a gang referred to as ‘Team Diamond’. That injured person is currently under Police guard.