Akeem Granville, a 26-year-old labourer of lot 444 Pattensen/Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, was shot and killed by a licensed firearm holder on January 25, 2023, after he and others robbed a couple at Industry Access Road, East Coast Demerara.
Even though the armed robbery occurred some eight days ago, Police Headquarters only released information about the incident on Friday, noting that Granville’s accomplice was charged with the offence.
According to the Police release, Sherwayne Freeman, a 35-year-old labourer of Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara, was charged and remanded to prison for armed robbery until February 13.
Freeman was arrested on January 25; he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Alisha George and pleaded not guilty to the charg.
A 46-year-old carpenter and his wife were held at gunpoint and robbed of a smartphone worth $46,000 and $2000 cash at about 21:46hrs.
The couple told the Police that during the robbery, four men who were standing on the opposite side of the road, fired shots and the bandits fled into a waiting car and escaped.
It was later revealed that Granville was shot in his chest after he showed up at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police reported that Freeman took the injured man to the hospital and it was there that he was arrested.
Freeman told investigators that he was the driver of the car involved in the robbery. He claimed that Granville had contacted him to go “for a spin” with two suspects identified as “Chicks” and “Naldo” from Albouystown, Georgetown.
The men drove to Plaisance Line Top and stopped at the Guinness Bar but left shortly after because the place was “not so bright,” meaning there was not a lot of people.
On their way back to Georgetown, they spotted the carpenter and his wife and decided to rob them. According to Freeman, the entire plan was orchestrated by Granville and that he [Freeman] had to wait inside the car.
Not long after Granville, Chicks, and Naldo exited the car, Freeman said he heard two gunshots and the three men came running back to the car.
Freeman said he then drove Chicks and Naldo to ‘D’ Field, Sophia and took Granville to the hospital.
According to the Police release, the businessman who shot the bandit was later contacted and he handed over his licensed firearm and three live 9MM ammunition to one of the Police detectives.
The businessman said he attempted to assist the victims when one of the bandits pointed a gun at him; he claimed that he became fearful for his life, drew his firearm and discharged a round in the suspect’s direction.
He said the three men then began to run south, turned into a street west, went into a waiting grey motorcar, and drove off.
The businessman told investigators he was unaware anyone was injured; his hands were also swabbed for gunpowder residue and Police are still on the hunt for Chicks and Naldo.
Give the man back his gun and move on…..nothing to see here folks.