Swift Police action saves father and five-year-old son

– three bandits shot dead after shootout with police

By Isaiah Braithwaite

DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 31, 2019

Neville Leslie, a construction worker and his five-year-old son, on Thursday evening, narrowly escaped death after an encounter with three armed bandits at their Norton Street, Lodge home ended in the death of the gunmen.

The man’s escape resulted from swift police action after being alerted to the crime in progress.

According to Leslie, the three men who pounced on him requesting cash and other valuables came through an opened back door which he was about to close. He believes that the men were known to him, as they interrogated him about the whereabouts of his visiting sister-in-law and her valuables.

Leslie further stated that the bandits threatened to shoot his five-year-old son who was screaming in fear. “They tell me if I don’t keep me son quiet, they will shoot me and me son,” he recounted.

The tearful forty-year-old said his only fear was losing his son. He said “it was not me I was studying, it was my son, that is all I was studying to tell him do not say nothing because I did not want them to hurt him.” He recounted that while his son was unharmed, he suffered a broken toe.

When the police arrived at the scene and the gunmen began scampering, it was then he was able to make good his escape through a window, even as the shootout between the ranks and bandits ensued. Leslie believes that if the officers did not arrive when they did, “things could have gone south”.

“As the police come, I really glad that they come when they did and I am really thankful for not only my life and my son life but that my sister-in-law them was not home,” Leslie related.

The only lives lost that night was those of the bandits. Leslie’s sister, Veneece Lovell said she is grateful that the police arrived at that time. “I thank God that the police were passing and at least, his life has been saved, there are a few injuries.”

According to police reports, the exchange of gunfire lasted for more than an hour and left the three bandits dead, and one police rank suffered a gunshot injury to the leg.

Shawn Brown and Junior Nurse were the identities given for two of the now dead bandits. The other remains unidentified.

Three 9mm pistols and two mobile phones were found at the scene of the incident.

The GPF is being praised by residents for their brave action which prevented the death of a man and his son.

This is the second time in two weeks that the police intercepted ongoing robberies by armed bandits.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Image: Jules Gibson