A mystery car scouting the area where Detective Corporal Adrian London was set upon by three men and killed execution-style on Thursday night is being investigated and the policeman's role in controlling protesters during last week's assault on the Office of the President is also being scrutinised.
"Watch yuh back!" was the much repeated warning to members of the Guyana Police Force last night as friends and relatives gathered at the home of the slain award-winning officer yesterday.
London, 33, was gunned down at about 2300 hrs on Thursday, while riding home along Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge. Several persons reported that three men, who were lurking near the Mandela Avenue junction, opened fire on the cop as he approached them. After falling from his motorcycle, London was shot several times at close range.
At his Tuckit Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens home yesterday, relatives and friends were visibly shaken. London's sister, Hollis, was at a loss for words. The young woman only repeated the wish of London's seven-year-old son, Adrian Jr: to have his daddy back.
A close friend of the family told Stabroek News that London and one of his colleagues had visited her home earlier Thursday evening. She said they left about three hours prior to the tragic incident.
"London was on duty... he just passed around at about 8 p.m. They were in a police vehicle when I saw him. Then he and [his friend] split at Second and Light streets [Alberttown]," the woman said. She, along with several other acquaintances, had gathered at London's home where preparations were being made for his wake last night.
According to the woman, London "just loved what he did...[and] was never fearful. If you are talking about his job, he was very dedicated. He was a very nice person, always fearless... He looked out for anybody whom he considered his friend."
One of London's closest colleagues told this newspaper yesterday that they were together until about 2130 hrs. He had proposed to take London home in the force's vehicle, but acquiesced and allowed him to take his motorcycle, instead.
That was the last time he saw his friend alive. About one and a half hours later, he received a call that London had been fatally shot.
Confusion reigned at the scene of the shooting and London's loaded firearm was stolen. As the police conducted their investigation, one person reported seeing a dark green Marino motorcar drive slowly by. One man was reportedly sitting very low in the back seat of the car. Stabroek News understands that the car slowly turned onto Mandela Avenue and remained parked for about 15 minutes, before circling the area.
Some persons said after London was shot, his assailants walked off west along Joseph Pollydore Street and got into a vehicle. London's friend, too, reported that while the slain cop was at her home that night, he told her that he had noticed a car pass her home slowly several times. The woman said that "traffic hardly passes outside" her home.
London had been one of the police officers instrumental in restoring order at the Office of the President on July 3rd after it had been invaded by protesters. Two of the protesters were shot dead by the police and around 17 others were detained in the compound. During that tense standoff, London was one of the officers who helped to maintain order. In the wake of the killing of the two protesters, sources say that threats were issued against several law enforcers. The two protesters were buried yesterday.
Stabroek News also understands that London was one of the policemen who had escorted wanted man Andrew Douglas back from Suriname. Douglas was one of those who fled from the Georgetown Prison on February 23. London had also arrested other wanted man, Romel Sylvester Reman in connection with the murder of cambio dealer Neville Sarjoo about four years ago. London had also given evidence against Kwame Pindleton, who too, has made the police's recent wanted list.
In the wake of the London's murder, the police yesterday again issued wanted bulletins for Reman, Pindleton called Jamaal Chan and Shawn Marco Gittens. The men are wanted "for a series of robberies and murders," but the police have not made a direct link to London's killing.
Reman, who was born in Berbice, is 21 years old, five feet, five inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds. The police said he has a scar on the left arm, is of medium built and his last known addresses are Lot 49 Princes Street, Wortmanville and Lot 22 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge.
Pindleton, on the other hand, is 23 years old and six feet tall. He weighs about 141 pounds, has a scar on the back of his neck and his last known address was Lot 10 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge.
The third man, Gittens, is also 23 years old and last resided at Lot 43 Norton Street, Werk-en-Rust. He has a scar on the left shoulder.
Anyone knowing the whereabouts of these persons is asked to contact the nearest police station or call: 226-7065, 225-2227, 226-6978, 225-3061, 226-1326 or 225-3650.
London, the third of five children for his parents, is also survived by his father, Pryor. His wife and two sisters who reside abroad are expected in the country shortly.
London had been a member of the force for at least six years. During that time, he received several accolades, including that of `Best Cop' in 1999. At the time of his death, he was stationed at the Brickdam Police Station.