Brazilian national accused of attempted murder of cop

A 54-year-old Brazilian national was remanded to prison Thursday for allegedly attempting to murder a Police Officer at Aranka Backdam Cuyuni River, Essequibo.

Francisco Lima De Aguiar, whose local address is listed as Light Street, Bourda Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the capital offence which alleged that on May 26, 2019, he discharged a loaded firearm at Police Constable Anthony Weeks with intent to commit murder.

De Aguiar, who owns a dredge and operates in the area where the incident allegedly occurred, was represented by Attorneys Mark Waldron and Trenton Lake.

Waldron made an application for reasonable bail and told the court that his client is a naturalized citizen of Guyana.

The lawyer told the court that his client was not around when the alleged incident took place.

But Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield said that party of Policemen went to De Aguiar’s mining camp after they received information that he had an illegal firearm.

It is alleged that upon arrival at the mining camp, the Police identified themselves to De Aguiar, who was seen with a handgun in his possession.

De Aguiar, the court was told, pointed the firearm in the direction of Policemen and discharged four rounds, one of which hit Weeks in his chest and was lodged in his left arm.

The Police retreated and rushed Weeks to the St. Joseph Hospital where he was treated and later discharged.

According to the Prosecutor, an arrest warrant was issued for De Aguiar and on June 10, 2019, he turned himself over to the Police.

The Chief Magistrate remanded De Aguiar to prison on the grounds that he is a flight risk. The matter is transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for June 20, 2019.