Cops fail to find ‘Blacka’

Jun 27, 2010 News

Despite intensive searches yesterday, ranks from Georgetown and Mahdia have failed to find the surviving gunman from last Monday’s Mowasi Landing shootout that left two people dead.

The slain dredge owner has since been identified as 20-year-old Devon Baird aka Devon Williams or Davendra, of Mainstay, Essequibo Coast. Police had initially identified the slain man as Devon Courtman and as David Courtman. Devon Courtman is said to be a dredge owner from Mainstay.

Police said that pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death as perforation of the heart and lungs due to gunshot wounds.

The victim’s father, Murtland Williams, told Kaieteur News that his son had been working in the interior for about 18 months.

Kaieteur News understands that the gunman whom police are hunting was suspected to have been shot in the leg last year during a confrontation with lawmen.

However, he reportedly escaped from the Mahdia Hospital. Police had initially reported that Clifford Andrews, a 21-year-old miner from Chenapau, and a dredge owner were walking along a trail when they were ambushed by two men.

The attackers were said to be 35-year-old Oswald Bourne, of Block 22 Wismar, and a man known as ‘Blacka.’

A shootout reportedly ensued, during which both Bourne and the dredge owner were slain. Andrews managed to flee after being shot in the chest. The injured man had told Kaieteur News that ‘Blacka’ shot and gun-butted him.

Yesterday, some Mahdia residents suggested that the Mahdia police needed a new vehicle to traverse the interior, since the pickup they currently use is often under repairs.

Meanwhile, police stated that two Brazilian miners were wounded in a shooting incident at Oko Backdam, Cuyuni River on Thursday.

The police release stated that miners Silvano Da Silva, 41, and Jose Wilson Costa, 43, were in their camp when a man entered and enquired about a job.

It is alleged that upon being told that no job was available, the man drew a firearm and shot at them, hitting both men to their right leg. The injured men have been admitted to the Bartica Hospital.