Slain bandit identified as former Cop
The suspected bandit, who was fatally shot by police has been positively identified as Rondel Marks, known as Romel Hoppie/ Blackie of Suddie Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast.
Marks, who this newspaper understands to be a former policeman, was positively identified on Wednesday by his mother at the Arokium Funeral Home in New Amsterdam. According to information received, the mother saw the bloodied photo of her son circulating on Facebook.
Marks was shot dead when police responded to a report of larceny of sheep at Vryheid Village, West Canje on Tuesday morning. Following that encounter, police were led to the home of Raymond La Fleur, a convicted murderer who has been on the run since 2011, when he escaped from the New Amsterdam Prison. There, they arrested a man and seized a number of items suspected to have been stolen, as well as a firearm.
Police, in a statement, said that Marks had drawn a loaded firearm at ranks who were responding to a report of larceny of sheep ongoing at a farmhouse at Lochaber Village, West Canje, Berbice at about 06:20hrs.
Investigations have revealed that on November 12, 2016, a cattle and livestock farmer from Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice reported that a flock of 29 sheep was stolen from his ranch at Calabash Creek, East Canje. Based on information received, the victim and three police ranks, one armed with a service weapon, proceeded on Tuesday morning to a location at Lochaber Village, West Canje, where the victim positively identified twelve of his sheep tied at the back of a farmhouse.
The ranks then proceeded towards the entrance of the farmhouse, and were immediately confronted by Marks who rushed into the house, armed himself with a handgun, and attempted to shoot the armed policeman who had followed him indoors.
The rank discharged his firearm several times at the suspect, and he fell. He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
