FISHERMAN Felix Da Silva, of Lot 7 Sea Dam, Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was chopped and shot dead Monday, when he was confronted, over a stolen generator, by Police and the engine owner.

A press release, issued the same night, gave the Police version of the incident.

It said, while conducting investigations into a report of burglary committed on a grocery shop and beer garden at Riverview, Ruimveldt, on Monday morning, there was an armed confrontation between one of the suspects and the Police, resulting in the suspect being fatally shot.
According to the release, about 04:30 h Monday, Edward Farley, who operates a grocery shop and beer garden at Riverview, was aroused by noise in the building.

“On checking, he saw two men in the shop, whom he recognised to be Felix Da Silva called ‘Scar Chest’ and another man, both of Riverview and who are known to Farley.

“Both men, however, managed to escape, by running into the Riverview area,” the release said.

The matter was, subsequently, reported to the Police at Ruimveldt Station and Constable 18141 McRae, who was unarmed, went with Farley to the home of Da Silva, where the last handed over some of the foodstuff allegedly stolen from the shop.

The statement said Da Silva was told he would have to go to the Police Station but he picked up a cutlass that was nearby and chopped Farley on the back of his head.

Police said McRae intervened and he, too, suffered a chop on his left hand, by Da Silva who then ran away.

Armed ranks responded after public-spirited persons had telephoned Ruimveldt and Brickdam Police, reporting what had occurred.

Da Silva was later found in another yard at Riverview and, upon seeing the Police, attacked one of them with the cutlass and the latter used his firearm to fend off his attacker.

Despite repeated calls for him to desist, Da Silva continued firing chops at the rank, forcing the Police to discharge rounds at him which hit him in his chest.

Da Silva was taken to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he was pronounced dead on arrival, the police account said.

It added that Farley was admitted a patient at GPH while Mc Rae was treated and sent away.

Meanwhile, Michelle Russell, reputed wife of the dead man, said she is awaiting the findings of a post mortem examination on his body.

She claimed Police murdered Da Silva even though he had surrendered and was attempting to save his life when he was wounded by Farley.(Michel Outridge)