Cops step up patrols in face of violence

(CNS): The RCIPS is increasing the presence of uniformed officers in the district of West Bay as well as armed response units in the wake of another shooting in the district Monday night, which followed the murder of Victor Oliver Yates on 3 January. Police have seized a vehicle found in Miss Daisy Lane that an RCIPS spokesperson said is believed to be the vehicle in which the gunmen involved in last night’s shooting were travelling.

Officers said that it is still early in both investigations and have made no indications if they believe the crimes are related but the killing on Saturday and last night’s incident appear to have the hallmarks of a revival of gang rivalry.

Although earlier reports suggested last night’s victim was badly injured, police have stated that the 22-year-old West Bay man was shot in the wrist and was treated at the George Town hospital and has since been discharged. He was said to have been a passenger in a light coloured Toyota car and had been in ‘Pop a Top’ Liquor Store on Powell Smith Road just before he was shot. When he left the store and got into the waiting car driven by a friend, a green Honda car reversed along Powell Smith Road from the junction with Reverend Blackman Drive and stopped by the Toyota.

Police said that a man wearing a hoody got out of the Honda and opened fire on the Toyota, which was driving off in the direction of Stadium Drive. A number of shots were fired before the gunman got back into the Honda, which continued reversing with its lights off towards Town Hall Road. Police say that a number of people were travelling in the Honda.

The crime scene was secured and a number of spent casings were recovered. The Toyota was taken into police possession before officers also found and seized the green Honda abandoned in Miss Daisy Lane.

Although a number of people were in the area at the time of Monday night’s gun violence, the police said no one has come forward with information. The matter is now under investigation by detectives from West Bay CID, who are appealing to anyone with information to contact any district police station, the Major Incident Room on 926 3975 or Crime Stoppers on 949  8477 (TIPS).