BUXTON, EAST COAST DEMERARA – A quiet night of cards and dominoes turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak in Buxton in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, when gunfire erupted at a neighbourhood shop, leaving two men dead and several others nursing serious injuries.
Dead are 17-year-old Leon McFarlene, a youth from Middle Walk, and 38-year-old businessman Mark Anthony Correia of Beterverwagting. Both were among a group of friends and neighbours gathered at a small shop owned by Asha Robinson when they came under fire just before midnight.
According to police, the tragedy unfolded at around 11:47 a.m. on July 16, when unknown assailants opened fire on the gathering at Lot 69 Middle Walk. Residents say they heard a series of rapid gunshots, followed by screams and a rush for cover.Robinson, who had gone to bed earlier in the night, said she was jolted awake by the sound of the shots.
“When I came outside, Mark was slumped over at the table. Blood was coming from his mouth and back. It was terrifying,” she recounted.As the community rallied to help, injured men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where McFarlene was pronounced dead on arrival.
His body bore gunshot wounds to his chest, face, arms, and legs. Correia’s body was taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital, where doctors also confirmed he had not survived. His injuries included multiple gunshot wounds to the back, chest, jaw, and eye.
Five other men were injured in the shooting and remain hospitalised:Linden Adams, 60, of Side Line Dam, BuxtonAlwin Fiffee, 54, of Middle Walk, BuxtonDavel Talbot, 26, a Special Constable from Middle WalkAkeem Tuman, 18, of Middle WalkSherwin Nero, 35, of FriendshipA 17-year-old male, whose name is being withheld, was also among the wounded.
Investigators recovered 40 spent shells of varying calibres, as well as several projectiles and fragments from the scene. Police believe the suspects may have fled in a silver car bearing license plate number PVV 7616 or 7661, which was reportedly seen circling the area prior to the shooting.
One of the injured victims is reportedly involved in an ongoing dispute with a group known locally as Team Diamond. That person is now under police guard as investigators explore possible gang-related motives behind the attack.
The mood in Buxton today is one of grief and unease. Families are reeling from loss, and neighbours are left shaken by the violence that shattered their community in a matter of minutes.
Police are urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward as investigations continue.
