By Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: A female member of the US Peace Corps in Suriname was accidentally shot and killed on Thursday police here have confirmed.
Dead is Blythe Ann O’Sullivan (25) who was shot in the right upper leg when she unfortunately stepped into a trap gun near the Maroon village Dreipada in the Brokopondo district. According to the police, the victim was tending to her farm in the wooded area when the accident occurred.
Meanwhile, police have taken a villager into custody who confessed to have placed the trap gun to kill game which were ruining the crop. According to the suspect, several villagers and the victim were weeding their farms, while the suspect himself helped the Peace Corps member clearing part of her lot.
In a statement the police noted that the detainee told investigators that he had advised O’Sullivan to go home since he was going to place the trap gun to catch the deer, but she replied by saying that she would stay for a while.
According to police, the woman allegedly wandered off and unfortunately came in contact with the hidden cord and the gun subsequently fired. O‘Sullivan was hit in the right upper leg and, according to the coroner’s report, an artery was pierced and she died from a severe hemorrhage.
The volunteer was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Since the suspect didn’t have a license to carry firearms he was detained and charges should be laid shortly. It is a common practice by local people in the Surinamese interior to place trap guns, known as ‘seti goni’, to catch game. Placing these shotguns is, however, prohibited by law and a criminal offence.
In 1995, the government of Suriname requested Peace Corps' assistance in rural community development activities for the Amerindian and Maroon communities. Volunteers work in two project areas: community health and small business development.
Working in the interior, volunteers work on activities that increase awareness of basic hygiene practices, encourage parental involvement in educational activities, promote economical development of community members, and conduct life skills training, incorporating healthy water and sanitation practices. |
