Guyana’s Child Care and Protection Agency has intervened to support a 10-year-old boy who was shot by his father in a murder-suicide that left his mother dead on Tuesday.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud expressed sorrow over the killing of 36-year-old Teekadai Atiya Solomon and the wounding of her son.
“I am deeply saddened by the horrific events today, where Alroy Solomon shot and killed his wife Atiya and then took his own life. He also, according to reports, shot his son, who is at the hospital. My heart goes out to the families,” she said.
“The Child Care and Protection Agency is ready to support the child and the grieving families and has already intervened. My sincere condolences to the families who are devastated by this tragedy,” she added, urging relatives of abuse victims to seek state help.
“Domestic violence continues to cause loss of too many lives, especially women, and even as we continue to expand our reporting, support and response systems, too many tragedies occur. I appeal to families of women who face abuse … please bring them to us for shelter, legal help, psychosocial support. We have all these support systems to help whenever you know that violence and abuse is happening to a loved one. I offer my support unreservedly to the child and the family and pray for the child’s speedy recovery.”
Police said the shooting occurred around 11:50 am at Lot 199 Charlotte and Bourda Streets, where Atiya, an ExxonMobil employee, had been living with her son after leaving the marital home in North East La Penitence two months earlier due to domestic abuse.
Investigators said her estranged husband, Alroy Solomon, drove to the property in a black car, rushed into the yard and opened fire.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing Atiya scream before multiple shots rang out. She was struck at least 10 times, including to the chest, abdomen, forehead, limbs and hip, and collapsed outside her apartment.
Moments later Solomon shot his son in the chest before killing himself with a gunshot to the temple. Citizens rushed the boy to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he remains in stable condition. Police recovered a 9mm pistol, six live rounds and a spent shell at the scene.
President Irfaan Ali also addressed the tragedy, saying family stability was key to the country’s well-being.
“The family remains the basic cell of human society, and its preservation is essential to our nation’s well-being. When families break, society bleeds. But when families thrive, a nation stands tall,” he said, vowing continued support for strengthening households.
Neighbours said Atiya had endured hardships in recent years, including a house fire, a hit-and-run accident and at least two suspected shooting incidents at her Charlotte Street residence involving her estranged husband.
The bodies of Atiya and Alroy Solomon were taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for autopsy. Authorities urged families to use available support services to prevent domestic violence.
