Breaking News! Suspect detained in Courtney Crum-Ewing assassination -Crime Chief describes arrest as ‘significant development’

Jul 17, 2015 News

Assassinated: Courtney Crum-Ewing

Four months after he was assassinated with a bull-horn in his hands, police appear to be close to solving the murder of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing.

Crime Chief Superintendent Wendell Blanhum announced today that ranks from the Force’s Major Crime Investigation Unit have questioned a suspect in connection with the March 10, 2015 killing.

Blanhum said that the suspect, whom he declined to identify, was contacted and questioned today. The suspect remains in custody.

“We have a new lead…investigators are working on a new lead on the Crum-Ewing case,” the Crime Chief said. “During the course of today, ranks from the Major Crime Investigation Unit conducted an intensive interview with the suspect.”

Declining to say whether the motive seems to point to a “political assassination,” Senior Superintendant Blanhum noted that the investigation is in its “preliminary stage,” but said that this was “a significant development.”

Crum-Ewing, a former soldier, was shot multiple times on the evening of Tuesday March 10, 2015, he stood on Third Avenue in the Diamond New Scheme.

His assassination occurred as he used a bullhorn while advocating for persons in the Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, area to exercise their franchise at the national elections on May 11, 2015. He was specifically urging residents to support the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.
Crum-Ewing made headlines last year after he staged a one-man protest for 80 days in front of the offices of the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, following revelations of an explosive taped conversation between that official and a senior reporter of Kaieteur News. The newspaper was threatened and Crum-Ewing signaled his intentions to protest until actions were taken against Nandlall.