Vreed-en-Hoop businessman charged with manslaughter, granted $1M bail in shooting of Lance Corporal

A 37-year-old Vreed-en-Hoop businessman, Robert Hoosein, has been charged with manslaughter after fatally shooting Police Lance Corporal Richard Hayes last week.

Hayes died from a single gunshot wound to the chest following an incident at Hoosein’s cellphone stall on Stelling Road, Vreed-en-Hoop.

On Monday, Hoosein was formally charged and granted $1 million bail.

Police reported that the incident occurred around 09:00 hrs on Thursday, October 23.

Hayes and Hoosein were not known to each other prior to the incident. Hayes had visited Hoosein’s business the previous afternoon to inquire about purchasing a cellphone.

On the morning of the shooting, Hayes reportedly returned, spoke briefly to Hoosein, and walked out.

Hoosein claimed that Hayes became hostile and allegedly threw a cellphone heater gun at him, striking him in the chest area.

Hoosein, a licensed firearm holder of a .32 Taurus pistol, then discharged one round, hitting Hayes in the right side of his chest.

Hayes’ brother, Ron Hayes, who operates a barbershop across the street, rushed to the scene and transported him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Hoosein was arrested, and his firearm and license were seized.