“I feel disrespected and I feel targeted” – Minister Broomes

Jul 11, 2018 News

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In what has become a highly publicized story, after a minister claimed that a security guard cocked a gun and pointed it at her, and her driver, on Sunday night, when she was attempting to access a restaurant at a Providence business establishment, CCTV footage of what transpired and statements that the minister has given to different media houses seem not to add-up.

In yesterday’s edition of the Guyana Chronicle, Minister Broomes is quoted as saying, “I was not abusive…Since I took office I really continue to humble myself to serve the people of this country. I have seen how because of the Government our posture is different.” “I want to say to the Guyanese public that I was no threat or anything at all, it is just regrettable. I am really saddened and taken aback by it. It was uncalled for.”
Asked about the police statement which said that both parties were aggressive, Broomes said the Guyana Police Force did not solicit a comment from her on what really happened. She said based on reliable information received, the Divisional Commander does not know who issued orders for the two guards to be released. She said too that she was reliably informed that when the gun, which was cocked in her presence, was checked at the police station it had a bullet in the breach. “I believe that I am being targeted,” she said, while noting that prior to the incident she received death threats in recent times. “I feel disrespected as a woman, as a citizen of Guyana, and I feel targeted.”
Minister Brooms stated, “I am not seeing this matter as a Minister of Government or a person of the State, I am saying that as a citizen of Guyana.”
That then begs the question, what channels were used to access police information on her matter, if not as a minister. Why would the minister find police releasing the security guards on self-bail, worrying, after knowing that the video showed herself and driver being very aggressive towards the security guards, who were only doing their jobs.
In video footage that was seen by this publication, that showed, the Minister’s vehicle being driven up to an area that had “no parking” signs. The vehicle stopped and the driver disembarked. He then removed the “no parking” sign and returned to the vehicle.
At the same time, the security guard who the Minister claimed pointed a gun at her could be seen making a gesture to her driver. The security guard was armed with a shotgun that was hanging from his right shoulder by a gun strap.
He walked up to the vehicle and replaced the sign. This caused the vehicle that was just about to move off to come to a halt again. The Minister’s driver exited the vehicle once again and there was some exchange of words between the security guard and the driver.
The driver moved the sign again; the security guard is seen pointing to the New Thriving Restaurant entrance. When asked what the exchange was about, the security guard said he was telling the Minister’s driver that there were no cars at the back there.
The guard said, he also told him he could park where the security can see the vehicle and see the people walking in and out.
While this was going on, another security guard came up. The Minister exited the rear left door of a Black SUV, and proceeded to throw two “no parking” signs to the ground.
The armed security guard proceeded to pick-up the signs. He later explained that he was telling the person who exited the vehicle and threw the signs away that she cannot do that.
The security guard could be seen picking up the signs again, and then the vehicle started to move forward and hit one of the security guards, who was standing in front of the vehicle at this time.
The vehicle stopped once again and the driver exited yet again. This time, the security guard claims that the driver pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot.
The Minister can be seen going around to the driver’s side of the vehicle where the driver was standing at the time. The security guard said the lady told the driver, “No, no, no put the gun away, put the gun away.”
The security guard said after he realized that things were escalating, he decided to move aside and let them through.
The police were called in and they came promptly. The security guard and another worker contracted to the building were taken to the police station and were locked up.
The video does not show the security guard pointing his gun at the Minister at any time as she claimed.
The security guard returned yesterday to assist the police with their investigation, and was asked to produce his precept and told him that a file was being prepared for the DPP, after which he will be informed what actions will be taken, depending on advice.

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