Murdered Coast Guard Lieutenant was robbed of car after suspect posed as customer

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant (Coast Guard), Rondel Anthony Douglas, who was shot and killed on Wednesday night, worked as a part-time taxi driver and was robbed of his car by two men, one of whom pretended to be a customer.

In a press statement, the Guyana Police said efforts are also being made to locate Douglas’ car, a Toyota Fielder wagon bearing registration number, PZZ 703.

Douglas resided at Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, with his wife and daughter.

Lieutenant Douglas, 33, who was attached to the Coast Guard, was fatally wounded at Cul-de-Sac Street, North Ruimveldt, after he put up a fierce fight with the two bandits at around 22:30 hrs.

According to the Police report, Douglas, who is a licensed firearm holder, was attached as a part-time taxi driver with the Alladin Taxi service at La Grange, West Bank Demerara.

Police said the owner of the taxi service related that a male went to the base and hired Douglas to transport him to North Ruimveldt.

CCTV footage obtained by the News Room showed when Douglas arrived at the dead end of the street and then he turned around.

As he did so, a male was seen emerging from the bushes; he approached the driver’s side of the car during which there was a struggle between Douglas, the man inside the car, and the one who approached the driver’s side.

Douglas then managed to exit the car and ran behind one of the suspects when he was shot. The suspect who posed as a customer then exited the car; Douglas ran back to the vehicle when he collapsed.

The two suspects then entered the car and drove away, leaving Douglas bleeding out on the street.

His body bore two wounds, one to his head and another to his chest.

The Guyana Defence Force on Thursday described Lieutenant Douglas as a dedicated and committed officer.

Lieutenant Douglas was enlisted in the GDF on February 15, 2012, and was a graduate of the Standard Officer Course 44. He was a first-year full-time student at the University of Guyana, pursuing a Degree in Computer Science.

He last served as Aide-de-Camp to the former Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess.