Gunman also tried to shoot George Burrows’ sons, court hears
The gunman who shot and killed Purcell Estate resident, George Burrows last month also tried to shoot the now-deceased man’s sons, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit has alleged.
The DPP levelled those allegations on Thursday, October 15 when the accused 37-year-old killer, Royden Sebastian, was brought before the Magistrate’s Court.
She told the court that on the night of September 2, Burrows was at his Purcell residence with his five children — his two teenaged daughters, his two sons (one of whom is disabled), and his stepson.
According to the DPP, Burrows was on his living room floor watching TV just before the incident. His stepson was in the kitchen eating food when he observed the kitchen entrance door open. He initially did not pay it any mind, but then he saw the arm of a lone gunman holding a black gun.
Upon seeing the firearm, the stepson immediately fled and the gunman allegedly fired one shot after him but missed. The stepson ran through the home. And as the gunman pursued, he fired one shot in the head of Burrows who was still on the floor, the court heard.
Gun misfired behind the head of disabled son
The DPP further alleged that the stepson then fled out the main entrance door of the home and ran to Purcell where he was being pursued by the gunman.
After the gunman noticed that the chase was futile, it is alleged that he returned to the residence of Burrows and went to his disabled son who was wheelchair-bound and placed the gun behind the son’s head.
The allegations further state that the gunman attempted to pull the trigger but the gun did not go off. After the misfire, the gunman fled the residence and was seen by persons running towards the area of the Purcell Estate basketball court.
The police and ambulance were summoned to the scene where Burrows later succumbed to the injury.
Gunman described as very tall and well-built/ CCTV footage available
The DPP further stated that the initial reports received from investigations described the gunman as being a black male over six feet two inches in height, considered to be well built and said he was wearing a T-shirt and dark pants.
Other accounts stated that Sebastian was on the Purcell basketball court moments before the murder, dressed in the exact clothing.
Scatliffe-Esprit also revealed that part of the investigations included police obtaining CCTV footage from around the area. The footage discovered what appeared to be a figure of a tall male captured moments after the shooting, walking in the area of the basketball court towards the area of Free Bottom, dressed in a white T-shirt and black pants.
An eye-witness
She further said the police had conducted several interviews during their investigations and noted that a witness, who claimed they saw precisely what occurred on the ill-fated night.
The witness claimed that they heard a loud explosion and saw a flashing light in the kitchen area of Burrows’ residence.
They said the activity caught their attention to which they continued to observe proceedings, and later saw a tall male exiting the front door.
The witness also stated that they saw the gunman going to Burrows’ disabled son in his wheelchair and placing a gun behind the head of the young man. They claim the gunman then fled towards the basketball court after the incident.
Witness recognised the accused
The witness further said they had a good view of the incident because of the street lights on the said night. They said they recognised Sebastian as the gunman to whom they have known for several years.
The witness then proceeded to grab a photograph of the accused and submitted the document to the police.
Police issued notice for Sebastian to report to police station
While conducting their investigations, the DPP stated that the police went to Sebastian’s residence at Free Bottom but he was not at home at the time. The officers said they left a message with the accused man’s brother, asking him to contact them at the station, but that request was not followed.
On the afternoon of October 13, 2020, the RVIPF conducted checks in the area of Purcell’s basketball court where the accused was apprehended and arrested on suspicion of murder of Burrows.
Sebastian was then taken to the Road Town Police station where he was interviewed in the presence of his attorney, David Penn.
Sebastian claims innocence
The DPP stated that during the interview, Sebastian claimed he was on the Purcell basketball court at the time of the murder and said there were other persons who saw him on the court at the time when the gunshots were heard.
He said he remained on the court a couple minutes after, and after not observing any activity, he went home. He has denied any involvement in the matter.
After concluding investigations, Sebastian was later charged with the offence of murder.
DPP objects to any bail being offered
Due to the nature of the offence, the Magistrate’s Court could not offer bail. The DPP still put on record her objection to any bail application made on behalf of the accused.
Sebastian’s attorney Penn, stated that his client has indicated that he intends to defend his innocence on the matter.
He was ordered remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison till his next court appearance on February 1 next year.
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Jesus. So he really wanted the father or the son???
Are all these people Belongers. I guess they had a spat over the price of milk. No guns in Natures Little Secret. Seems more like Mogadishu than a civilized Territory. Keep calm and carry on.
The gunman wanted the stepson. The father got hit by a stray bullet and because the children saw who the gunman was, the gunman was going to execute them but the favor of the Lord was on them. That’s why the gun jammed and he ran.
The representative is wrong for harboring those thugs in the center that o— built
She don’t got much sense you know
Bag lady said all aren’t criminals
Innocent until proven guilty but COME ON MAN WHO WOULD DEFEND THIS WHEN THERE IS EVIDENCE OF GUILT.
Well you justice system should have never let him out after serving only HALF his time
why you don’t mind your business my lawd
This is exactly what’s wrong with society. What happen with the justice system is the business of All residence. It’s not something we should say “That ain’t my job/business”. We need to monitor and bring these things to light.
SORRY BUT THIS GUY IS THE SEED OF A D—-N. HE NEEDS TO SIT IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT 24/7 FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. NO HUMAN CONTACT, NOT KNOWING WHAT TIME OF DAY IT IS. A SEED OF A D—-N NEEDS TO BE ELIMINATED FROM THE HUMAN RACE.
Yuh MODDA
Sebastian claimed he was on the Purcell basketball court at the time of the murder and said there were other persons who saw him on the court at the time when the gunshots were heard.
Out of all places to be during a curfew. hmmm
Big Clown
How has it taken so long to arrest him with all that evidence?
Why was he killed? How about Daly
Thanks to all that DROP THE QUARTERS ON THE KILLERS HEAD. POOR MAN LAYING DOWN IN WHAT SUPPOSE TO BE YOUR SANCTUARY RELAXING WATCHING MOVIES AND IN COME THE DEMON AND SNUFFED HIS LIFE. I WISHED I HAD COME FACE TO FACE WITH THE GUNMAN. I WOULD HAVE BLOWN HIM TO BITS WITH MY SAWED OFF SHOTGUN.
Oh, this negro crazy
On another note Purcell got some snitching a**e neighbors how bout minding your got d**n business. Stray bullet should have went in in your eye nosey s***t.
I raised to decent productive citizens of society, my daughter is a Pediatrician and my son is an Anesthesiologist both are in the USA holding there own and will never come back here, they are no social misfits nor are the delinquents putting a drain on society.
I brought them here age ages 2 and 4 and watched them like a hawk, I worked two jobs as a single mother because I wanted the very best for them, I raised them both right because I wasn’t going to fall for the BS that it take a village, not on this island that’s for sure.
I listened and watched a news clip 2 days ago and it was said that in the smaller islands that wrote CSEC and CAPE, the top 5 spots are kids who are eithercame to the islands or both parents are foreigners. This is happening right here also, The child that took the number 1 spot on Anguilla is not a born Anguillian yet she got all 11 1’s with 9 distinctions,her mother know about the education revolution on the island of SVG.
It’s how you parent your children, Be a parent not their best friend.
come here , so what you are saying is that America has no crime? and that your kids cant be harmed up there for no reason …..