State House attacker claims he had ‘visions’ to share with the President

Police investigators have made some headway in their probe of the December 15, 2022 attack on the President’s official residence – State House – which left a presidential guard critically injured and the assailant unconscious on a ventilator for several days.

Both men have regained consciousness but the attacker, Bethel Ikena Chenezie, remains hospitalised.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum would only confirm the man’s health status as “critical” on Wednesday; he did not reveal further details noting that it would comprise the ongoing investigation.

Doctors have listed the man’s condition as stable and he is now a patient in the high-dependency unit – a step down from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he was previously kept.

From all reports, Chenezie is expected to make a full recovery and doctors are looking to reintroduce him to solid foods in the coming days.

The News Room understands that he has been ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation.

Persons who have heard his informal ramblings have said he claims to have had “visions”. He reportedly claimed that he went to State House to sit with the President and share those visions.

The News Room was reliably informed that investigators already conducted their interview with the suspect from his bedside at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

His residence was also searched and persons with whom he had recent dealings were also questioned.

The top brass of the Guyana Police Force has committed to providing details to the media and the public when it becomes appropriate to do so.

On December 15, 2022, Chenezie, who possesses a Nigerian passport, showed up at State House and demanded to see President Irfaan Ali.

He proceeded to stab Presidential Guard Telon Perreira five times about his neck and body before disarming a female Presidential Guard and firing several shots at the building.

Chenezie was later shot three times by other members of the President’s security detail.

The injured Presidential Guard is recovering; he was promoted on Christmas Eve day while he lay in his hospital bed.