Murdered Albouystown youth was not in a gang, family say

The family of 18-year-old Christopher Mansfield, who was shot and killed on Sunday in Albouystown is calling on the Guyana Police Force to conduct a thorough investigation into his murder.

An aunt, Vanessa Mansfield, told News Room Monday that the young man was not a violent person as she disputed reports that he was involved in a gang.

Mansfield was a mason and resided at Lot 66 Barr Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

At about 06:47hrs Sunday, he was on his way to play football when he was attacked by three men on bicycles at Cooper Street, Albouystown.

The men were armed with a cutlass, knife and a gun. Police said Mansfield was shot to the right side abdomen and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

His aunt described him as helpful and cheerful.

“Most I can tell you Christopher is a very peaceful child, most he does is laugh, he is very jovial, he is kind, he is willing, he is not a violent person…I cannot tell you if he had any problems with anybody that I know of. What I can tell you is he does not look for trouble,” Vanessa told News Room.

The family was informed that five men are in custody for the murder; they called on the authorities to conduct a thorough probe.

“What we can assure you that we know for sure the five that they have… from information gathered in the community, are the five that are responsible for my nephew’s death. There is still one at large from what we’re told,” Vanessa said.

“I’m calling on the Commissioner of Police Mr Leslie James, we are grieving now and we need justice…I know you [Commissioner James] are trying to help us and we will get justice.”

The family maintains that the young man was not a part of any gang and was never affiliated with any.

“I’m hearing a set of rumors which I cannot confirm. I read in one of the newspapers that it was a gang, my nephew was never in a gang…he was never in a gang and they are even putting it with this guy Collis death. My nephew was no way affiliated with Collis,” Vanessa said.

Collis Collison, a 26-year-old clothes vendor of lot 68 William Street, Kitty, was shot and killed on March 21 at Barr Street, Albouystown.