GEORGETOWN – A devastating explosion at the Mobil Fuel Station on Regent and King Streets has tragically claimed the life of a six-year-old girl, Soraya Browne, and left four of her relatives injured, but police are now investigating the possibility of a targeted attack after reviewing surveillance footage.
The incident, which severely damaged the station and four vehicles, is now being treated as a potential criminal act. The tragic victims were inside a silver Toyota Premio driven by 27-year-old teacher Jenica Hooper of Werk-en-Rust. Also in the car were Hooper’s grandmother Yvonne Honas (71), and her nieces and nephew: the deceased Soraya Browne (6), Seddia McIntosh (12), and Reshard Lord (7).
Soraya was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). The other injured family members remain hospitalized in stable condition.
CCTV Captures Spanish-Speaking Suspect
The critical breakthrough came from surveillance footage. Detectives observed a man, believed to be of Spanish descent, entering the gas station carrying two bulky black plastic bags around 6:15 PM. A staff member reportedly stopped him from placing the bags into a garbage bin.
The man then walked south along King Street and was later seen placing the bags on the ground near the station’s cooking gas cylinders before leaving. Approximately an hour later, the explosion, which police determined originated on the southwestern side of the station near the gas cylinder cages, occurred.
Forensic Evidence Seized
Police have since recovered black plastic fragments and pieces of transparent tape from a hole near the blast site, which have been sent to the Crime Laboratory for urgent forensic analysis.
The force of the blast caused significant structural damage, shattered nearby windows, and damaged four vehicles caught in the shockwave. Regional Police Division 4A confirmed the six-year-old’s death and has launched a full-scale investigation to track down the suspect.
The body of young Soraya Browne awaits a post-mortem at the GPHC mortuary.
