Suspected terrorist arrested

The suspected terrorist, responsible for the deadly bomb attack in Georgetown, has been arrested, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) announced on Tuesday.

The suspect, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, was arrested at Vergenoegen sideline dam, East Bank Essequibo, by a team of police officers who were acting on information received.

The suspected terrorist is presently in police custody, assisting with the ongoing investigations into the tragic explosion that occurred on Sunday, at the Mobil Fuel Station, Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, which claimed the life of a child and left others injured.

Moments before his arrest, the GPF announced a $5 million reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the wanted individual.

Investigators had also discovered the clothing worn by the suspect when he planted the bomb at the gas station. Police said the distinct blue t-shirt, black pants, and hat were found discarded at a location in Region Three.

On Monday night, the Police Force had disclosed that three persons had so far been arrested, including a Venezuelan national.

One of the persons in custody has been identified as Roberto Fuentes, the registered owner of the suspected getaway vehicle used during the terrorist attack.

The vehicle, a silver motorcar bearing registration number PSS 7874 has since been impounded.

Just before 19:30hrs on Sunday, an explosive device planted at the Mobil Gas Station detonated, resulting in the death of the six-year-old girl and injuries to seven other persons, including two other children.

Investigations revealed that earlier that evening, the suspect was seen at the station with two large black plastic bags. A gas station employee stopped him from discarding the bags in a bin near the pumps, and as such, the man left the area.

However, CCTV footage shows that the suspect still managed to discard the bags on the property, near a storage unit for cooking gas cylinders, after which, he walked away.

Shortly after, a powerful explosion erupted, severely damaging the station, several vehicles, and nearby buildings.

The blast killed six-year-old Soraya Bourne and injured four of her relatives, who had arrived in a car at the gas station to purchase food from the attached KFC outlet – as part of a Sunday family tradition. Other persons suffered injuries in the explosion.

Meanwhile, the government has since offered to cover all expenses associated with the funeral and wake of little Soraya while other services such as counselling will also be provided to affected persons.

The management of the Mobil Gas Station will be holding a press conference on the incident on Wednesday.

According to the police the explosion caused damage to the Mobil minimart, a storage bond, and four fuel pumps, as well as to several nearby buildings – including the KFC outlet, adjoining commercial establishments and portions of the High Court.

Additionally, experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory have collected samples, including plastic and metal fragments which are being analysed to determine their origin and any evidential value.

Earlier Tuesday morning, President Dr Irfaan Ali took to his Facebook page to share an excerpt from the Criminal Law Offences Act which reads that a person who commits a terrorist act that results in the death of any person shall be sentenced to death.