Four shot and injured in Sophia as man fires into crowd gathered to watch fight

Police are on the hunt for a lone gunman who allegedly opened fire indiscriminately, shooting into a crowd of people who had gathered to observe a fight Tuesday night in Sophia, Georgetown.

Four persons were injured and had to seek medical attention.

The victims were identified as Abdool Joshua Kamal, a 32-year-old welder; Shellon Collins, 23, a shopkeeper; Quincy Hoyte, 33, a labourer, all of Sophia and Omale Dick, a 27-year-old labourer of Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown.

Kamal, Collins and Hoyte each sustained a single gunshot wound to their left shoulder, face and lower back, respectively; Dick was shot three times including to his abdomen.

Police Headquarters said they are investigating the shooting which occurred around 21:30hrs at ‘B’ Field Sophia Access Road.

According to the Police, investigations revealed that earlier in the day, Collins and 34-year-old Felicia Thom had a misunderstanding after Collins claimed that Thom “pelt” at his shop.

Both Collins and Thom informed their husbands about what had happened, the Police said.

This resulted in Collins’ husband, Dion Morris, a 24-year-old labourer, confronting Thom’s husband, Malcolm Hutson, 38, a minibus driver of the said area.

A fight erupted between Morris and Hutson, which saw a built-up crowd that included the victims.

“At this point, the suspect approached the crowd and discharged several rounds at persons who had gathered around the two men fighting. After the shooting, the suspect ran away in a northern direction,” the Police said.

The victims were all taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Kamal was treated and sent away while the other three were admitted as patients.

Police Headquarters said checks are currently being made for the suspect, who was at the time wearing a grey hoodie and red and black pants.

Based on the description, Police said the suspect is about 6 feet in height and dark in complexion and was armed with a handgun.

Investigators recovered eight 9mm spent shells at the scene.