Cop dies after riddled with bullets in Sophia
By Andre Haynes
Stabroek News
December 24, 2002
A policeman was yesterday morning executed by two gunmen who lay in wait and pumped 12 bullets into him as he left his home for work.
Police Constable 16840 Colin Robertson, 25, of 560 `B’ Field South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was riddled with bullets on the `C’ Field Road, a short distance from his home, while riding his motorcycle to work. He is the 12th policeman to be killed by gunmen since April this year.
Robertson, a member of the Quick Reaction Group of the Criminal Investigation Department, stationed at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, was declared dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was rushed after the shooting.
Residents of the area said the attack, which reports indicate was premeditated, occurred at around 7:50 a.m. According to several eyewitness accounts, Robertson, clad in a white and grey top with a vest, grey three-quarter pants and black boots, was on his motorcycle and moving north along the `C’ Field Road - near the access road to Nurse’s Quarters when he was ambushed. Persons reported that as he made his way along the road, two men armed with pistols emerged from a shop stand situated some 30 ft south of the intersection.
A press release from the Police Public Relations Office said that “Robertson was riding his motorcycle CD# 1049, when one of two gunmen who were at the shop at the side of the access road, discharged a round which struck him on the right jaw after which he fell to the ground.”
A single gunshot, which some had believed to be the sound of an exploding squib, prodded one eyewitness to look up and observe the two men standing over the body of the fallen policeman. The men are said to have without pause discharged several rounds into his body.
According to a GPHC source, Robertson was shot fifteen times; He was shot five times to his chest, four times in the upper region of his left arm, three times to his right hand, once to his right knee, once to his right cheek and a graze to his left rib.
The police release said after discharging at least a dozen rounds into his body the men robbed Robertson of a gold chain (valued at) $50,000 and a cellular phone and “then calmly walked away.”
Stabroek News understands that following the assault the two men ran north, moving along the ‘C’ Field Road then into the road between ‘B’ and ‘C’ Fields where they are said to have escaped.
Some residents said that the men, one of whom they described as heavily built, were seen in the vicinity of the shop as early as 6 am yesterday morning and it is suggested that the men lay in wait for the police officer.
When Stabroek News arrived on the scene Robertson’s dark red Jialing motorcycle, was still lying on the road, some 18 ft from the junction, where it had been left while the man was rushed to the hospital. A red helmet lay alongside the bike on the muddy road, amidst a large deposit of blood, diluted by light rainfall.
An armed policeman stood before the entire scene, preventing some curious persons from entering the primary crime scene which still engaged the attention of officers from the Police Forensics Unit, who examined the bike and dusted the shop stand for fingerprints.
Other policemen meanwhile canvassed the immediate area. Contacted at mid-morning yesterday Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent David Ramnarine, told Stabroek News that police were at the time still searching the area for the gunmen.
Meanwhile, a group of neighbours assembled at the home of the slain officer, offering their sympathy to the family. Robertson leaves to mourn his parents, three sisters and one brother. His father was in Linden while his mother was in Berbice at the time of the shooting.
Speaking with Stabroek News, Robertson’s sister Colleen, said she was sitting in the home when she heard shots. She said after the shooting had subsided she quickly ran outside to the verandah and learnt it was her brother. She said she ran down the stairs and out to the road where she saw him lying.
A passing minibus put out its passengers and rushed the man to the hospital. He was declared dead on arrival at 8:10 a.m.
According to residents of the area, the deceased was always a friendly and polite person. “People don’t have to do anything... it’s innocent people [that] they [are] killing,” his sister remarked to a neighbour.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj, according to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), condemned the attack: “The Minister condemned this brutal act, calling it `a waste of talent,’ especially in light of the fact that Constable Robertson faithfully carried out his duties to protect and serve the citizens of Guyana.”
In expressing his condolences, the Minister said that it must be recognised that this year has been a hard one for the Guyana Police Force given the fact that more ranks have lost their lives this year than any other.
“However, despite the life threatening circumstances that face them, the ranks continue to conduct themselves courageously and professionally.”
Robertson, who joined the force on June 16, 1995, is now the twelfth policeman to be killed this year as a crime wave continues. Since the February 23rd jail-break which has seen an escalation in crime, policemen have become the targets of numerous attacks. On Tuesday December 3rd, traffic constable Quincy James was brutally gunned down when a large gang of gunmen ran amok on Regent Street while robbing Gobind’s Cambio and escaping with in excess of $2.5M.
Residents of the area, at the time of Stabroek News’ visit yesterday reflected on the young man’s life and asked the question: Why?
One resident told Stabroek News that there used to be a nightly patrol in C Field. However, owing to the soaring crime rate there has been no patrol for the past six months.
