Gunmen murder 12 at Bartica....Large gang came by river, attacked police station, fired wildly, three cops among dead

Stabroek News: "Gunmen last night slaughtered around a dozen persons in a major assault on Bartica reminiscent of the Lusignan massacre and the dead included at least three policemen, reports this morning said.
The hour-long strafing which saw the criminals overrunning the Bartica Police Station and residents locking up in their homes raises major questions about the aims of the gunmen and the ability of the security forces to respond."

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The Associated Press: Guyana Gunmen Kill Police, Civilians: "GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Gunmen killed at least three police officers and several civilians in an assault Sunday night on a small town in Guyana, authorities and local media said, in the second such attack in recent weeks.
Police said the men, dressed in military fatigues and armed with assault rifles, invaded a police station and made off with ammunitions and weapons in the southwestern township of Bartica.
Police did not identify any suspects or possible motive, but this impoverished South American country has been beset by gang violence."

12 slain, several injured in Guyana massacre
Residents told Agence France-Presse that they had witnessed at least five of the civilians were ordered to lay face down on the ferry wharf before they were shot and killed.
A joint team of soldiers and police were deployed to the semi-forested and riverine area to track down the gunmen, state-owned television reported.
Sunday's incident came less than one month after the January 26 shooting of 11 people in their homes at Lusignan village east of Georgetown.
That incident was preceded by the shooting at the headquarters of the Guyana Police Force, resulting in two policemen being injured.