Craig shootout

Police identify murder suspect, accomplice in Craig shootout

July 15, 2015 6:03 am Category: Crime A+ / A-

Dead: Rolston Morrison

 

[www.inewsguyana.com] –

The suspect who was fatally shot during the police SWAT team operation at Craig, East Bank Demerara on Tuesday, July 14 has been identified as Rolston Morrison called ‘Mappy’ or ‘Sadam’, 29 years, whose known addresses were Nabaclis, ECD; Agricola, Georgetown and Providence, EBD.

A police report noted that a wanted bulletin had been issued for him on March 18, 2015, as he was a suspect in the murder of Dwayne Kennedy who was shot and killed at the Golden Grove Market on March 14, 2015.

Additionally, the wounded suspect who has been hospitalised under guard has been identified as Warren McKenzie, 22 years, of Brutus Street, Agricola.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, accompanied by Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Head CID Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum visited the Police Constable who was shot after coming under fire during the police operation.

Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, accompanied by Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum visit the wounded police rank

The rank, who is in a stable condition, was offered words of comfort and encouragement.

In the wee hours of Tuesday, the SWAT unit was able to track several persons wanted for the murders of businessman Ganesh Ramlall at La Jalousie, WCD, and Travis Rudder at Nandy Park, EBD, and the armed robbery on Judge Nicole Pierre and her husband Mohammed Chand at their home at Felicity, ECD, to a house at Craig.

The firearm recovered by the police

The ranks came under fire during which a Constable was shot to his right thigh. Seven other male suspects who were in the building have been arrested and are in police custody.

A 9mm. Glock pistol with two magazines and 25 matching rounds has been recovered by the police, along with two wrist watches that are suspected to have been stolen. Further a number of 9mm. spent shells were also recovered at the scene.

SWAT unit will tackle more criminals

– Police official  

The success of the police Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit in yesterday morning’s operation which saw the dismantling of a major criminal gang has buoyed the administration of the Guyana Police Force, so much so that one senior official has assured that the team will be deployed for similar operations in the future. The specially-trained unit went into action for the first time early yesterday morning, surrounding a house at Craig, East Bank Demerara, where the gang was holed up and despite an exchange of gunfire, only one fatality was recorded. In addition to the one fatality, however, two persons, including a SWAT team member, were wounded. Hours after the incident Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud, accompanied by Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Crime Chief Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum visited the wounded Constable and offered him words of comfort and encouragement.

Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud (left), Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum (centre) and Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken visit the wounded policeman.

The SWAT team is made up of ranks drawn mainly from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) who underwent intense training under highly skilled trainers from the United States of America. The idea to establish the unit came at a time when Guyana was at the end of a debilitating crime wave, and there was a desperate need to ensure that there was an effective police unit to respond to violent crime. Senior police officials are elated with the work that the unit carried out yesterday morning, especially given the fact that they were operating in darkness. “It was the first time that they were deployed into that type of operation. They have been in other situations but not like this one, and yes, they handled it very well,” one top police official told this newspaper. The assessment comes against the backdrop of previous observations from several quarters that a SWAT unit was not necessary for this society. One such critic, former commissioner of police, now Minister in the coalition government, Winston Felix had argued in 2013, prior to the setting up of the unit, that a SWAT team would be a good idea once the circumstances in the country justify its formation. However, he had noted that such a team is useful to engage hostage-type situations, and armed and violent criminals, though the TSU has successfully done this type of intervention over the years. According to Felix, a SWAT team is not a heavily-armed daily patrol group and should not be used as such. He said though that once formed, the SWAT team should be carefully managed and not allowed to become indisciplined like other previous police special units. President David Granger had also expressed reservations about the unit when he was Opposition Leader. Granger had said that there is no need for a (SWAT) unit and that more attention should be placed on issues affecting the force including proper investigations, the Force being brought up to strength, and the availability of resources such as aircraft and All-Terrain Vehicles to ranks so that they can adequately patrol the interior regions. Even at a recent emergency meeting he convened last week to address the crime situation, no mention was made of utilizing the SWAT team. However, another senior police official defended the existence of the unit, pointing out that, “we need them not only for high risk situations…they are adequately utilized in training other anti-crime units in the force.” “They are not idle. We realised that we had to get them occupied…and it is clear that we will use them for other similar missions,” the officer declared. He explained that because of what is taking place now in the society, with the changing nature of crime, the SWAT team will have to adapt and evolve into a group that is in tune with what is occurring in their environment. The officer also noted that at least there is no evidence to suggest that the unit has been compromised.

Now, new government deserves some credit here. This never happened under PPP.

Look how the PPP stooges will soon be about to defend these criminals. Dem gonna say how the new government is terrorizing these poor criminals who were just having a gyaf just like they have always done since the PPP days.

I FULLY AGREE.  THIS IS INDEED GREAT WORK.  KEEP THE PRESSURE OF THE STINKING CRIMINALS.

yOU ARE A JACKASS.  DAT IS WHAT THE PNC DID FOR DECADES.  SUPPORT, CONDONE AND ENCOURAGE CRIMINALITY!!!

Bai I man have only supported the PPP and the AFC. You was the one soliciting Indian girls for the PNC all dem years back. So you should watch what you say.

Rear Admiral Nehru, only the PNC did it? Wha been happening the last 23 years???? Leh meh remind yuh bai - wanton murders, proliferation of guns and gun runners, proliferation of drugs and drug runners and a vibrant narco trade, assassaination of a minister (jagabat seh he know is who), etc.

Tek note lil man - iz de same "incompetent' police force now arresting and tracking down criminals. Iz de same alleged bribe takers. How come dey suddenly doing their job now, protecting alyuh from "ethnic cleansing" eh Lord Gaumont?

THE GPF, ARMY AND CIVIL SERVICE WORKS WELL ONLY WHEN THEY LIKE THE LEADER.  PUT DAT IN YUH PIPE AND SMOKE IT!!!

Suh wait...Granger ordered "ethnic cleansing" (according to alyuh here). But de same Granger is so liked that de police force arresting the "ethnic cleansers" that wuk fo Granger??? Eh shithead?

You will never understand, is the SHIT in you head!!!!!!

Crackling here bhai.

Good job by GPF keep the heat on.

No, I'll never understand pure shit coming from a drunkie mouth. Go scream mo about "ethnic cleansing" nah.

You DUMM ASS, ask for explanations in a simplified version I will will be of help. DUMB ASS!!!

This antiman Nehru suh dum is pointless to continue.

Nothing to gain politically to cry "extra-judicial killing."

Seems to be the situation.

When a country's Police Force, Army and Civil Servants don't like their leader, the problem has to be their leader....guess what happens...leader gets turfed as was done by the election.

Fast forward to now, everyone works well with their leader, bad asses get caught.

Put dah one in y'all pipe and smoke it.

Was it the situation when the PPP GOVERNMENT ORDERED POLICE OFFICERS TO FIRE ON BLACK PEOPLE IN LINDEN??????? Did the police force suddenly develop a love for the PPP and gun down their own black people?So what shit yuh talking, eh?