Curtis Armstrong, 34, also called “Deejay Casual” of Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, was shot three times and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he is recovering after surgery. Sean Hinds, 30, of North Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, who intervened in the scuffle, was shot to his left leg. He too is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
While information about the shooting remains sketchy, relatives of the popular deejay remained tightlipped and refused to speak to the media, claiming that once he is out of danger, they will issue a press release.
According to information received, the shooting stemmed from an argument over an ice bucket.
Nevertheless, based on information gathered, Armstrong was a patron in the VIP section of the Guyana National Stadium for a concert, and apparently he went to a friend’s table to collect some ice, but another man who was at the table was not too pleased; hence, he warned the radio announcer not to return.
This prompted an exchange of “disrespectful words” between the men which went on for a few minutes before the charade eventually ended after the intervention of a few friends. By this time, the rain came, leaving patrons scampering for cover.
It was at this time that the deejay decided to walk to his car, but he was confronted by one of the suspects where again, another argument ensued. During the argument, according to reports, a high-tempered Armstrong punched the suspect to his face, and a scuffle started.
A close friend of the deejay, who was at the hospital, said the suspect pulled out a gun from his waist and discharged a round on the ground in an attempt to scare Armstrong, but he did not back down.
The deejay reportedly used explicit words, announcing that he was not afraid of guns and challenged the man to shoot him if he had “guts”. The man in response discharged two rounds, one hitting Armstrong to his hand and the other in the abdomen.
Hinds, who was close by, went to Armstrong’s rescue and was shot to his left leg by the man who was armed with a .32 revolver. The suspect, along with another man then boarded a Toyota Tundra and made good their escape. It is believed that the firearm that was used might have been illegally obtained.
The two injured men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Hinds was treated and admitted while the deejay underwent an emergency surgery which lasted a few hours. It is believed that the bullets entered and exited his body, but luckily, he received no serious internal injuries.
A hospital source told this publication that doctors who performed the surgery confirmed that no major organs were damaged as a result of the bullet exiting Armstrong’s body.
Several friends and close associates of both men turned up at the medical facility to lend moral support to the family members gathered.
Social media, including, Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger were frequently updated by close friends of Deejay Casual, who wished him a speedy recovery while at the same time denouncing the shooting incident.
Meanwhile, while the shooting occurred at the show promoted by Hits and Jams and Mc Neil Enterprise, it is not clear whether the suspects had the gun on their person while in the VIP section or it was stashed in their vehicle in the parking lot.
During these shows, tight security is evident as searches are conducted on the patrons upon entry into the preferred sections, but not on the vehicles upon entry into the stadium. In this case, once a patron is in possession of a VIP ticket, the person has free access to the VIP parking areas that are provided.