Fatal shooting outside Rio Inn Nightclub Police enhancing images from cameras
The police were up to last evening working towards enhancing camera footage and are carrying out several operations around Georgetown in an effort to apprehend the suspects in Monday morning’s shooting in front of the Rio Inn Nightclub which resulted in the death of a teenager.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday afternoon, Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken said that as the probe into the matter continues, investigators are trying to enhance footage which was obtained from both the interior and exterior of the night club.
In addition to this, he noted that based on information received, ranks from the Division have also been conducting operations around Georgetown in an effort to capture the suspects. One such operation was carried out on Monday evening but this was unsuccessful, Hicken said. Another was slated to be carried out last evening.
Around 2:30am on Monday, Ryan Sergeant was shot dead while another man, Jeffery Ferrell was injured after an argument ended in gunfire in front of the nightclub.
Sergeant, called ‘Harry,’ 19, of Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown was shot once to his head and reportedly dumped outside of the Woodlands Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.
Ferrell, who also resides in North Ruimveldt, was shot to his neck and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he underwent emergency surgery.
Information revealed that Ferrell had to be rushed back to the operating theatre yesterday afternoon since the bullet had shifted. His condition was listed as stable.
Acting Crime Chief Hugh Jessemy had previously informed this newspaper that investigators are pursuing three suspects. Reports revealed that one of the suspects is an expoliceman and former bodyguard of convicted drug lord Shaheed Roger Khan.
While the details of what exactly transpired remain unclear, sources had told Stabroek News that Sergeant was not part of the argument but was shot while seeking cover when shots were fired.
This newspaper was told that while in the club, a suspect’s girlfriend and another woman were involved in a fight, resulting in the intervention of the men. During the ensuing altercation, firearms were drawn and the scuffle was taken outside, where the men were shot.
It was reported that Ferrell was involved in an altercation with another man over the girlfriend of one of the suspects, which resulted in the suspect and his girlfriend leaving the club. Ferrell and his friends, including Sergeant, followed them outside, where the argument resumed and escalated. Esau Gibbons, 21, and Kevin Abrams, 17, who were caught red-handed after burgling the home of attorney Paula Nicholson, were sentenced to three months in jail on Friday after admitting to the crime.
Gibbons and Abrams appeared before city magistrate Judy Latchman and pleaded guilty to the break and enter and larceny charge.
On September 15, they were caught in the lawyer’s Eccles, East Bank Demerara home attempting to steal valuables. They were apprehended after the police were summoned to the scene following a 911 call.
Nicholson had told Stabroek News that around 10am on the day of the robbery, she received a phone call from her daughter, who saw two persons trying to enter the compound. She had earlier heard their dogs barking unusually and upon checking, she noticed the duo.
She told her daughter to secure herself and she would make contact with the police. However, the daughter dialled 911 immediately and police arrived at the home and they surrounded the bandits. Despite being surrounded, the two burglars attempted to escape but police fired a shot and they then surrendered.
They had already packed a bag with a television and a DVD player, among other items, for their escape.
After gaining entry into the compound, the duo had used a crowbar and forced their way through a grilled window in the bedroom. They then made their way to the living room, from where they seized the valuables.