Victim remains unable to walk following April 11 attack at Islington Village
A 28-year-old man has been remanded to prison after allegedly shooting and injuring his former partner at Islington Village, East Bank Berbice, in what police say was a targeted attack following the breakdown of their relationship.
Damon Morgan of Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, East Canje, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court, where he faced charges of attempted murder and discharging a loaded firearm with intent. He was denied bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence and the risk that he would flee.
According to police, on April 11, 2026, 27-year-old self-employed woman Vasanti Gordon was seated in her motorcar at Islington Village when Morgan approached her armed with a handgun and discharged several rounds in her direction, striking her in the lower body. He allegedly also struck her in the head with the weapon and issued threats to kill her. Gordon was rushed to the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, where doctors observed multiple puncture wounds to her right leg and thigh. The court was told she has since been discharged but remains unable to move around, which prevented her from attending the proceedings.
Investigators say Morgan and Gordon were previously in a relationship that ended recently amid allegations of infidelity and physical abuse.
Prosecutor Sergeant Collin Clark informed the court that the case file remains incomplete and that further work is required based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The prosecution objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the use of a firearm. The court was also informed that Morgan is a repeat offender, with a robbery matter currently before the courts for which he is already on bail.
Defence attorney Stacy Gooding urged the court to grant bail, arguing that her client has turned his life around. She told the court that the accused, a former taxi driver who operated in the New Amsterdam and Canje area, is now employed as a heavy-duty machine operator in the interior after completing training, where he reportedly placed third in his class. Gooding further submitted that Morgan must be presumed innocent, had been attending court for his pending matter, and would do the same if granted bail. She also noted that no wanted bulletin was issued for him and that he voluntarily surrendered to police after learning of the allegations through social media.
The prosecution countered that immediately after the shooting, police gave chase but Morgan escaped on a motorcycle and subsequently went into hiding, maintaining that he poses a flight risk.
Magistrate Matthias acknowledged the defence’s argument that Morgan may have attempted to reform but stressed the seriousness of the offence. She also noted that he did not present himself to police on the day of the incident or shortly after, raising concerns about whether he would return to court if granted bail. Morgan was remanded to prison.
The matter was adjourned to May 14, when police are expected to provide an update on the readiness of the case for trial.
