HGP Nightly News – Shaka Phillips on Monday admitted murdering teacher Jenel Pollydore after confronting and pursuing her through a hotel during a wedding reception in July 2025.
Phillips pleaded guilty to the offence before Justice Priscilla Haniff at the Demerara High Court. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 30.
The court heard that Pollydore was standing near the entrance of the hotel on July 18, 2025, when Phillips approached her and demanded to know why she had not been answering his telephone calls.
An argument followed, during which Phillips reportedly pulled out a handgun and shot her.
Pollydore attempted to escape by running into the hotel, but Phillips chased her and fired two additional rounds before fleeing. She collapsed inside the building and became motionless.
Police officers who responded found Pollydore’s body at the scene. Investigators also recovered two spent 9mm shells.
A post-mortem examination subsequently established that the teacher died from gunshot injuries to the head. One wound was observed on the right side of her face and another at the back of her head.
Phillips, a labourer from Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was 22 at the time of the killing. Police arrested him on July 20, 2025—two days after Pollydore’s death—and he was later charged with murder.
His guilty plea means the case will proceed directly to sentencing without a trial to determine criminal responsibility.
State prosecutors Praneta Seeraj and Aleera Yearwood are appearing in the matter.
Justice Haniff adjourned the proceedings until September 30, when the court will determine the sentence to be imposed.
