A Nigerian National was shot after he unleashed a violent attack on policemen guarding the State House – official residence of the President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali.
Police identified the suspect as 35-year old Bethel Ikenna Chimezie and said he was employed at a cleaning service.
According to the police, at about 7:30 AM on Thursday morning, December 15, 2022, the man entered a security room located at the southern side of State House located at Main, Carmichael and New Market Streets.
The man reportedly confronted the guards saying, “I want the President (Mohamed Irfaan Ali)” before pulling out a knife from his pants and stabbing Telon Perreira, a Presidential Guard, five times to the neck and body.
Other guards reportedly tried to restrain him, but the man managed to disarm another of his 9MM pistol and retreated back to Carmichael Street where he began shooting at them.
The President’s guards returned fire and the man fired back, as the guards pursued him to New Market Street, where he was eventually shot.
Videos have surfaced of the man being advised by citizens to drop the weapon as he lay wounded on the ground.
The suspect and the injured Presidential Guard are receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
The Guyana Police Force said a request has been dispatched to the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) for more information on the attacker.
“The GPF has requested via INTERPOL a comprehensive background check on him; also whether he has any criminal history or whether he is linked to any criminal group,” a senior police officer told journalists.
Meanwhile, President Irfaan Ali has visited the hospital to check on the wellbeing of the security officer who was injured whilst fighting off the intruder at State House.
