The Guyana police Monday released a video showing a man placing a bag at a gas station following an explosion that left one person dead and several others injured on Sunday night.
‘Preliminary investigations revealed that earlier in the evening, a male of mixed ethnicity, believed to be a Spanish speaking foreign national, was seen at the location with two bulky black plastic garbage bags,’ the police said in a statement.
Police release video showing main suspect with plastic bag (Guyana Police video)
‘He reportedly attempted to dispose of the bags in a garbage bin at the station but was prevented from doing so by an attendant. The individual subsequently left the area, heading south along King Street to the western side of the fuel station.
‘At approximately 19:36hrs, a powerful explosion was heard on the southwestern side of the compound, near the section where bottled cooking gas is stored. The blast caused extensive damage to the building, several parked vehicles and nearby properties,’ the police statement said.
It said that at the time of the explosion, a vehicle was in the compound with driver Jenica Hooper, 27 years, a teacher of Breeda Street, Werk-en-Rust; her mother, Yvonne Jonas, 71 years, a pensioner; her nieces, Soraya Bourne, six years and Seddia McIntosh, 12 years, a student; along with her nephew, Reshard Lord, seven years, a pupil.
‘They were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where Soraya Bourne was pronounced dead on arrival. The other victims were treated for injuries and remain in stable condition.’
The police said that the explosion also damaged four other motor vehicles and caused minor structural damage to a nearby building.
The police said that criminal investigators have ‘processed the scene and collected several items of evidential value, including fragments of black plastic bags and adhesive tape, which have been sent for forensic analysis. CCTV footage has been obtained and is being reviewed to assist investigators’.
Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, has extend deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of young Soraya Bourne during this time of immense grief.
President Irfaan Ali, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, said in a statement said he had been ‘briefed on the identification of an individual of interest, and I have instructed that images of this person be circulated widely so that the public may assist the Guyana Police Force by sharing any information that could aid the investigation.
‘I have directed that a full-scale investigation be launched immediately and that every available resource and investigative tool be utilised to determine the precise cause and circumstances of this incident,’ Ali said.
Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond, said ‘my heart goes out to the Bourne family during this unimaginably painful time’.
In May, 2025 two loud explosions simultaneously occurred at the Ruimveldt Police Outpost and a nearby Guyana Power and Light substation on Mandela Avenue. At that time, two Spanish-speaking persons had been identified as the suspects.