Lusignan escapee ‘EL Sinkie’ killed in high-noon shootout

Lusignan escapee Clive Forde was shot dead sunday during a high-noon gun battle with police, that transformed East La Penitence, Greater Georgetown, into a war-zone with the sound of high-powered weapons and the air filled with gunsmoke. When the gunfire finally stopped and the smoke cleared, the bullet riddled body of the 2015 murder accused known as “El Sinkie,” lay sprawled in a yard next to a latrine with a 9mm pistol next to him.

The drama, which began with a 10-minute chase, played out a few houses away from the East La Penitence Market. As Forde and police ranks escaped gunfire, children and adults had to run for cover, some even diving into nearby drains. According to reports, the police received information that the wanted man was spotted walking on Laing Avenue yesterday and immediately responded.

As the patrol approached, Forde allegedly whipped out a handgun and opened fire at the ranks. He reportedly then fled, with the ranks in hot pursuit, until he was cornered in a yard and riddled. “I deh in me house and I hear something like gunshots but I say mussy is them bikes meking them sounds, but when I peep out I see a man in a blue short pants with a big gun running,” a woman who resides next to the scene said. Kaieteur News was informed that the wanted man was opening fire on the cops as he fled.

Divisional Commander, Marlon Chapman stated that no one has been arrested for harbouring Forde, while adding that the investigation is still ongoing.

Forde was the son of 54-year-old Gladstone Taylor who was executed in Adelaide and Sussex Streets on April 01, 2016. Taylor’s death is reportedly linked to the murder of army Lance Corporal, Kevon Payne, who was killed three days prior in front of his mother’s Sussex Street, Charlestown home. The soldier’s brother and another relative were subsequently charged for Taylor’s murder, but the charges were subsequently dismissed. Forde, himself was charged for murder. He was the second person charged for the September 04, 2015 killing of Senasie Lewis, who was gunned down outside the Ghetto Flex night spot in Albouystown, Georgetown. He was among 13 prisoners who dug their way out of the Lusignan Prison Holding area last Sunday and had been on the run since.

Those who escaped from the facility were identified as Winston Long, Jamal Forde, Jamal Joseph, Teshawn McKenzie, Odel Roberts, Jason Howard, Ryan Jones, Kendall Skeete, Paul Goriah, Shawn Harris, Pascal Smith and Kerry Cromwell.

Last Wednesday, Kendall Skeete was caught hiding in the abandoned house of one of his relatives at Wisrock, Linden.

Pascal Smith was dragged from a latrine on Friday at Bar Street, Kitty after the mother of his children informed the police.

Seven other inmates have since been caught and charged. These include Winston Long, Jamal Forde, Jamal Joseph, Teshawn McKenzie, Odel Roberts, Jason Howard and Ryan Jones.

The police are still hunting for the remaining Lusignan Prison escapees Paul Goriah and Shawn Harris. Kerry Cromwell, who was among the escapees, has since turned himself in.

(Kaieteur News)