Police are investigating the shooting death of Richard Marvin Hayes, a 35-year-old Police Lance Corporal #21294 attached to the Impact Base, Brickdam Police Station, and of Lot 13 School Street, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.
He was shot at about 09:00 hrs this morning (Thursday) at Stelling Road, Vreed-en-Hoop. Police have since arrested the suspect, a 37-year-old Businessman of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara.
Investigations revealed that Hayes and the businessman are not known to each other. However, the suspect owns and operates a cellular phone stall on the northern side of Stelling Road, Vreed-en-Hoop. Additionally, the suspect is a licensed firearm holder of a .32 Taurus pistol.
Further investigations revealed that Hayes went to the suspect’s business place on 2025-10-22, sometime in the afternoon, and upon entering the shop, he contacted the suspect, made enquiries about several cellphones that he had intended to purchase, and later left.
At about 09:00 hrs today, Hayes returned to the suspect’s business place, where he walked into the stall and stated that he came to buy a phone and walked back out of the stall. The suspect at the time was packing several boxes in his store, and during that moment, the suspect stated that Hayes began to behave in a hostile manner and was told to leave the shop.
Hayes continued his hostile behaviour and it is alleged that he picked up a cellphone heater gun, which was on the display counter and threw it at the suspect, hitting him on his chest area. During the confrontation, the suspect drew his firearm and discharged one round in the direction of Hayes, hitting him in his right side chest area, which caused him to receive injuries.
Upon hearing the loud explosion of a gunshot, Ron Hayes, who is the brother of the deceased and who operates a Barber Shop opposite the suspect’s business place, rushed over and, on his arrival, saw his brother bleeding from his chest area.
He then took him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in his motor car, where he was treated for his injuries and subsequently succumbed.
Hayes’ body was examined at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, and one suspected gunshot wound was seen on his right side chest area.
The suspect was arrested and placed into custody pending investigation. His firearm, along with the license, was seized and lodged. Also, the suspect was processed for gunshot residue. He remains in custody pending further investigation.
