A 17-year-old suspected bandit was shot dead during an armed robbery attempt in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on Friday night, December 20, 2024. The incident, which occurred around 9:10 PM on Aubrey Barker Road, has left the community in shock and raised questions about youth involvement in violent crime.
The deceased, identified as Carl Rolland Reid, also known as ‘Carloo Reid’, was a resident of the Tucville Squatting Area. Reid and an accomplice, who remains at large, allegedly targeted a 45-year-old food vendor and her 15-year-old daughter who were waiting for transportation at the junction of Kaikan Street and Aubrey Barker Road.
According to police reports, the suspects arrived on a black motorcycle, registration number CL 7753. Armed with what appeared to be handguns, they approached the victims and demanded their belongings. The mother and daughter, fearing for their lives, complied with the robbers’ demands, handing over cash, cellphones, and jewelry with a total estimated value of over $300,000.
The situation took a deadly turn when a 30-year-old Supernumerary Constable, on duty at a nearby Chinese supermarket, intervened. As the security guard stepped out of his post, one of the suspects reportedly fired four shots in his direction. The guard, armed with a 9mm pistol, returned fire, discharging all 15 rounds from his weapon.
Reid was struck multiple times and fell to the ground, while his accomplice fled the scene on the motorcycle. Emergency services were called, but Reid was pronounced dead at the scene. A subsequent search of his person revealed the 15-year-old victim’s cellphone in his possession, along with a black toy gun found nearby.
In the aftermath of the shooting, police recovered seven 9mm spent shells from the scene. The incident was reportedly captured on CCTV cameras in the area, which are now being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
The surviving suspect managed to elude capture despite a chase by police motorcycle patrols. He abandoned the getaway vehicle in Festival City before escaping on foot through an alleyway. The motorcycle has since been impounded at the East La Penitence Police Station.
This tragic event has sparked discussions about the root causes of youth criminality and the effectiveness of current crime prevention strategies. Community leaders are calling for increased intervention programs and support systems for at-risk youth to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the second suspect to come forward. The police have taken statements from the victims and the security guard involved, and are pursuing all leads to bring the case to a resolution.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by both civilians and law enforcement in confronting armed criminals, and the potentially fatal consequences of engaging in violent crime, regardless of the perpetrator’s age.
