Tag: Sophia

Two men hospitalised after gunfire exchange in Sophia

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Two men are now hospitalised in stable condition following a reported exchange of gunfire in Sophia on Monday night.

The victims have been identified as 34-year-old Andra Stewart, an unemployed man from Guyhoc Park and Fifth Street, Alberttown, and 22-year-old Lidj Grant, a construction worker of ‘A’ Field, Sophia.

According to police, the incident occurred around 21:45 hrs on May 20, in the vicinity of the Mercy Wing Vocational Centre, ‘A’ Field, Sophia. Stewart sustained a gunshot wound to his right lower back, while Grant was wounded in the right upper back.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the two men were riding separate motorcycles when they were approached by two unidentified men on another motorcycle. The suspects, who were dressed in dark clothing and wore face masks, allegedly opened fire on the victims.

Stewart and Grant reportedly jumped off their bikes and took cover behind a parked truck, while the suspects fled the scene.

Public-spirited citizens rushed the injured men to a city hospital, where they were examined and admitted.

Police arrived at the scene around 22:00 hrs and recovered 15 suspected 9mm spent shells. Investigators also reviewed CCTV footage, which revealed an exchange of gunfire between the suspects and the victims. As part of the investigation, both Stewart and Grant were swabbed for gunpowder residue.

Several persons in the area were questioned, but the suspects remain at large. Investigations are ongoing.

Block SS in North Sophia slated for regularisation 

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The government is developing a plan to regularise the informal settlement at Block SS in North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, to provide a better living environment for over 100 residents.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, made the announcement following a thorough assessment of the area on Tuesday. She stated that occupancy in the area dates back to the early 1980s.

The minister noted, “This is an area that some would know as the extension of Block ‘R’. There are two sections that we have already regularised in the past, but there is one block that we are yet to regularise.”

Minister Rodrigues explained that earlier efforts to regularise the area faced significant challenges, primarily due to the complex nature of developing essential infrastructure such as footpaths, drainage systems, and road networks.

“We are here to make another attempt. We have engaged with everyone,” she noted.

The minister further stated, “The residents are willing for us to return and complete a new inventory so that we can conduct another occupation survey to assess the design of this area.”

Surveyors from the ministry will return to the area next week to carry out the study.

Once completed, a meeting will be held with Block SS residents, during which they will be informed about the new survey and the way forward.

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Caption: Minister Rodrigues and a technical team (DPI photo)