Some of the scenes at the 'Baderation' concert held on Friday night

One arrested, cops looking for other shooters at ‘Baderation’; promoters called to meeting with Top Cop

By Editor On May 28, 2022 Last updated May 28, 2022

The Guyana Police Force is currently reviewing footage captured by CCTV cameras and on social media in an attempt to identify and arrest people who fired gunshots in the air on Friday at the ‘Baderation’ dancehall concert held at the National Park.

Police Headquarters reported that a vendor from East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, has already been arrested after he was found with an illegal firearm. See the full statement issued by Police Headquarters following a meeting with the concert’s promoters:

A meeting was summoned this morning by the Commissioner of Police (acting) Mr. Clifton Hicken, in the Commissioner’s Conference Room at Force Headquarters, Eve Leary to deal with the breach of security and subsequent discharge of gunshots at the ‘Baderation’ dancehall concert held at the National Park last night.

Among those present at the meeting were Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Mr. Calvin Brutus, Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ Mr. Ravindradat Budhram; Head of Special Branch Mr. Errol Watts, Commander for Regional Division 4 ‘A’ Mr. Simon McBean, Head of GPF’s Communications Unit Mr. Mark Ramotar; and promoter of the ‘Baderation’ concert Mr. Rawle Ferguson from Hits and Jams Entertainment Company.

The meeting with Police Commissioner (ag.) Clifton Hicken (centre), Promoter Rawle Ferguson (at right) and other stakeholders (Photo: GPF)

The security posture (and lack thereof) at the event was discussed and recommendations were made for strict compliance prior to the hosting of any other such events in the future.

Some of the things discussed at today’s meeting relate to:

• Stakeholders approach – with promoters, members of the Fire Service, GRA, and the Police

• Increased Police posture in partnership with the Private Sector

• Prohibition of beverages in bottles (only plastic cups and bottles will be allowed)

• Improved security search – metal detectors and scanners will be employed

Also, one person – a vendor from East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was arrested by the Police in the National Park last night with an illegal 9mm firearm with one suspected live 9mm round of ammunition. He is presently in custody.

The Police are presently following up with the reviewing of CCTV cameras and videos circulating on social media with a view of identifying and arresting persons who discharged rounds in the air at the event in the National Park.

The Guyana Police Force is also appealing to the general public or anyone who might have knowledge or information (maybe phone videos) to share with the police as this will assist investigators in identifying the perpetrator(s) who fired shots at the event that caused chaos and panic.

Investigations are ongoing.

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