Investigators at the Kitty Police Station are preparing a file on the shooting incident involving HGP Nightly News’ reporter, Travis Chase and a homeless man which occurred on Sunday morning at De Abreau Street, Kitty, Georgetown.
The file is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution, Shalimar Ali Hack for legal advice.
At around 04:30 hrs, Chase, who is a licensed firearm holder shot a 28-year-old man to the left foot and then turned up at the station and allegedly lied to police ranks. He reportedly claimed to have discharged three rounds into the air to scare off someone who attacked him.
However, the victim, identified as Jimmy Ramgobin later turned up at the station with a gunshot wound to the back of his left foot. He claimed that he was sleeping in front of the yard of Chase’s girlfriend when the reporter woke him by kicking him in the stomach.
According to Ramgobin, he picked up a bottle to defend himself but the reporter pulled out a gun and aimed it at him. Three shots were fired at him but only one struck.
Chase has since lodged his weapon—a Glock 9mm Pistol at the station while his victim is hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Following the shooting, several questions were raised over the issuance of a firearm license to the reporter.
One person in particular who has expressed his concerns over Chase’s firearm license is People Progressive Party (PPP)’s Member of Parliament, Nigel Dharamlall.
He questioned, “How come Travis Chase has a Glock 9mm Pistol #BBHA 733 issued two years ago and business persons, miners and farmers whose lives are always under threat in this crime -infested country cannot be issued a licensed firearm?”
The Guyana Standard has been informed that a businessman, who owns and operates a jewellery store in the Stabroek Market Square, submitted his application for a firearm license less than a year ago but was rejected.
“There are people—big businessmen who go around with large amounts of cash but up to now, cannot get a firearm license but Travis, whose salary hasn’t even reached $GY200,000 got a gun license. If this isn’t corruption tell me what it is,” the jewelry store owner said.
Meanwhile, persons have lashed out at the reporter on social media for shooting a homeless man and leaving him on his own.
According to one user, “That is a homeless man. How can you shoot him and then turn up at the station and lie? What if that man had gone in some corner and bled to death? Shame on you Travis Chase.”
Persons are calling for a thorough investigation to be conducted.
