Teen critical after shot in back

May 01, 2025 News

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–suspect on the run; family laments sloth in police probe

By Shania Williams

Kaieteur News-  A 19-year-old man from Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, is in critical condition after being shot in the back last Friday at the front of the Tuschen Housing Scheme.

The teenager, identified as Garvelle Hyman, is currently being treated at the West Demerara Regional Hospital with serious injuries, including two broken ribs, a punctured lung, and internal bleeding. The bullet remains lodged in his back, and doctors have determined he is not stable enough for surgery.

In an interview with Kaieteur News, members of Garvelle’s family—his siblings Abiola and Dexter Hyman, and sister-in-law Collette Hyman—shared details of the shooting and voiced frustration over the slow pace of the police investigation.

“Garvelle is in a critical state. The bullet is still lodged in his back, and he cannot undergo surgery because he is not stable,” the family said. The family complained that from the day of the incident to the present, no proper investigation has been conducted.  On Tuesday, Kaieteur News spoke with Assistant Commissioner and Commander of Region Three, Mahendra Siwnarine, who confirmed the shooting and told this publication that the suspect is in hiding. “Whilst the suspect is known, he is in hiding. I spoke to both parents yesterday (Monday) and they were informed of same. With all these things going on, we are really tied down right now. But will make contact with CID and look into the case.”

When asked if a wanted bulletin was issued for the suspect, Siwnarine stated, “Not as yet.” According to Garvelle’s brother, Dexter, he was present when the shooting occurred around 22:30 hrs on Friday. “I came out on the road to get something to eat. People were burning stuff and so on. My brother came and we were talking about me going into the interior to work. That’s when he told me that this boy [the suspect] violated him,” Dexter recounted.

“I looked to see who the person was, and within that moment, Garvelle threw his bicycle at the boy because he noticed the boy coming with a firearm in his hand.” Following the altercation, a gunshot was heard, hitting Garvelle once in the left side of his back. The wounded teen fled into the scheme with the suspect following him. “My brother get up and ran into the scheme and the boy was running behind him. The boy fired two shots in the air and my brother continue running to find a hiding place. When he was in hiding he became unconscious and he was taken by a taxi to the hospital,” Abiola explained.

Dexter related to this publication that Garvelle and the suspect had an argument before the shooting. He also stated that several individuals were present at the scene and witnessed the shooting. The family claims the suspect has a criminal history, including an incident in 2023 involving an unlicensed firearm. Collette Hyman added, “He [the suspect] was engaging in a shooting with an unlicensed firearm in 2023.”

Garvelle was initially treated at Leonora Hospital before being transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital. His sister shared further details about his deteriorating condition. “They said he is not stable for surgery. He has to be able to move around first before surgery. The bullet needs to come out before he can fully recover.”

“His 5th and 6th ribs are broken. He has a punctured lung and internal bleeding. They had to insert a chest tube to drain the blood. On Tuesday morning, he was vomiting blood. The doctors said his lung collapsed, and his body cannot withstand anaesthesia right now to get the bullet out.” The following day, Dexter filed a report at the Leonora Police Station the day after the incident. However, attempts to collect a statement from Garvelle were repeatedly postponed. Collette recounted: “The officer said to call her when we reached the hospital so she could take a statement. But then she said she couldn’t come because of a protest in Tuschen on April 26. But I told her that my brother-in-law has to go to Sheriff Hospital to get a CT scan. She said okay I will send somebody there. When my brother-in-law reach there, she told me that she can’t get anybody to come and get a statement from him.“

Eventually, the family said that a statement was written for Garvelle.

On April 27, the family returned to the station, where another officer took over the case. They were shocked when the officer asked them to help locate the suspect themselves. “He told me if we could locate the shooter. I became upset and cried. My husband said that’s not our job,” Collette said. “We even showed them a picture of the suspect, but nothing happened.”

Despite repeated visits to the station, the family says they were told only that the suspect is being sought. “Up to Monday, I saw one of the men who was there when the shooting happened. He was locking up a bar in Tuschen, but the police keep saying they’re looking for him,” Collette added in frustration.

The family also related that yesterday, when they returned to the station for some answers, efforts proved futile. “It was a whole run around with the police. They are dragging their feet on the matter,” Abiola stated. As such, the emotional family is pleading for justice. “My brother tells me everything. To know he is in this situation—it’s not easy. I cry every day. I am trying my best to get justice for what happened that night. He didn’t have to shoot him. I want justice for my brother. I want the police to find this boy and investigate everyone who was involved.” The family continues to call on the Guyana Police Force for urgent action and justice for Garvelle, who remains hospitalised in critical condition.

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