By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Former soldier, 40 – year – old Courtney Crum – Ewing of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara was shot several times on Tuesday night while he was walking the streets of Diamond, encouraging people to vote.
The execution has left residents in fear and there are now more questions than answers. Police confirmed that Crum – Ewing was walking in Third Street, Diamond at approximately 20:00hrs when a car with four men drove up and discharged several shots at him, hitting him in the head and other parts of the body.
The men escaped and Crum – Ewing’s lifeless body remained on the roadway, while his loud speaker was found some two feet away. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond hospital.
iNews understands that at the time of his death, the popular protester, known for being outside the office of the Attorney General, was making public announcements calling on citizens to go out and vote.
According to a Facebook post by prominent Attorney and AFC Member, Nigel Hughes, his family is calling for an independent international pathologist to observe the Post Mortem along with an independent forensic and ballistic expert to assist in the investigation.
Meanwhile, soon after the murder, the Ministry of Home Affairs in a press statement condemned the shooting to death of Crum – Ewing. According to the statement, the Ministry has given orders to the Commissioner of Police to take immediate action “with a view to getting to the bottom of this execution-type shooting incident, through the most thorough investigation.”
The Ministry noted that it is too early to draw any specific conclusion or motive in connection with the perpetration of “this dastardly act.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to alert the general public to be vigilant in respect of any act of violence provoked or unprovoked, that might be possibly initiated by those who may have a political agenda.”
During an interview with iNews on December 23, 2014 Crum – Ewing had expressed fear for his life following the burglary of his Pit Bull bus.
For several months, the former soldier protested peacefully in front the AG’s Chambers, calling for him to resign, following the revelation of a taped telephone conversation between Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall and Kaieteur News’ Reporter, Leonard Gildarie.
Crum – Ewing had told iNews, “This is serious stuff and I’m beginning to worry for my life, my safety. You gotta gimme a gun, I’m trained to carry a firearm; I need personal protection. I need a licensed firearm. I have reasons to fear.”
Crum-Ewing was taken into police custody on December 11, 2014 at the Brickdam Police Station for allegedly breaching the ‘peace’ during one of his protests.
