By Gaulbert Sutherland and Sara Bharrat

Gunmen last night attacked the Ministry of Culture, throwing two channa bombs into the compound shortly after blasting off shots at the nearby WaterChris Hotel.

There were no reported injuries in the attacks at either place. In a lightning strike, the gunmen, who were in a car, fired at least three shots at the Water Chris Hotel on Quamina Street shortly before 9:30 pm. A car, PGG 8912 that was parked in front of the hotel was hit at least two times by the bullets while there was also a visible bullet hole on the northern wall of the hotel.
Speeding down Quamina Street, the gunmen then threw two channa bombs into the compound of the Ministry located at Quamina and Main streets before they sped off. The bombs failed to ignite.

At the WaterChris Hotel, moments after the shots were fired, there was a sense of disbelief. The shots had been fired in quick succession, reverberating throughout the area. The dining room of the popular hotel is located on the Quamina and Waterloo streets side and it was here that the shots were directed. While some persons immediately came out others stayed inside. There was a function at the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union building located on the other side of the street, and persons came out after some time had passed, exclaiming in shock. A person, who was said to be the owner of the car, told this newspaper, at the hotel that he had no comment to make. Security personnel at the hotel warned persons to stay away from the vehicle, though the curious still went to inspect it.

A few minutes after the shots had been fired at the hotel, a police van arrived and then, sirens blaring, sped down Quamina Street towards Main Street. About nine minutes later, a police car arrived at the hotel, followed by others and they commenced taking photos of the bullet holes and appeared to be looking for spent shells.

Some minutes after this, there were reports that the Ministry of Culture was also shot up and police went there.

Speaking to reporters at the ministry, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony said that he was informed that a car had passed by and two channa bombs were thrown at the building and the northern side of the building was shot up. He said that the lower flat of the building housed offices of the National Sports Commission and the upper flat some offices.

Appealing for calm to prevail, he said that hopefully the police would get whoever is responsible and with regards to the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) “if this was intended to be such a deterrent people should think again because this is not going to stop us”.

When Stabroek News passed by the WaterChris Hotel again, the shot car had been removed and the people had dispersed.

Earlier, when Stabroek News arrived on the scene of the WaterChris shooting the police had not yet turned up. However, at 9:40 pm a police car with its siren flashing drove past the location and was flagged down by the small crowd that had gathered at the scene.

“It had shoot-out here. Bout six bullet I hear!”, a woman said while making great haste to leave the scene.

“I live just up the street,” one man said. “I hear like four gunshots so I dash to my window to peep and see wa goin’ on”, he explained.

Shortly after, additional ranks arrived at the scene and the officers were seen with flashlights scouring the road and grass for spent shells. Despite the attack which left many shocked, patrons of the WaterChris could be seen sitting quite calmly inside continuing with their evening’s meal and entertainment.

Just after 10 pm, when Stabroek News arrived at the Ministry, Minister Anthony was seen standing in front of his Ministry’s Main Street entrance, his hands folded across his chest, with a grave expression on his face. Anthony appeared to be shaken but in control of the situation and at approximately 10:15 pm he escorted a number of police ranks into the compound.

A small group of Ministry employees, the Minister and police officers made their way to the northern side of the building, which faces Quamina Street, and pointed out what appeared to be a mixture of shattered glass and remains of a “channa” bomb on the building’s stairs. Windows from the lower flat of the building were broken.