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Police hunt Spanish-speaking terror suspect Oct 28, 2025 News …after gas station explosion that killed six-year-old girl (Kaieteur News) – Law enforcement officers are urgently hunting a Spanish-speaking man suspected of planting an explosive device that caused a deadly blast at the Mobil Service Station on Regent and King Streets on Sunday night. The explosion claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and injured seven others, including children and adults. Police have confirmed that the man is a person of interest in the investigation. According to eyewitness accounts, a quick-thinking pump attendant may have prevented an even deadlier blast. She told Kaieteur News that the suspect, carrying two plastic bags, tried to dispose of them in a bin near the pumps. After a verbal confrontation, he moved toward the back of the station, leaving the bags near a cage of gas cylinders, moments before a massive explosion tore through the compound. Police continue to comb CCTV footage and other evidence to track the suspect. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring the perpetrator to justice. In a statement on Monday police said that at around 19:36hrs, a powerful explosion was heard on the southwestern side of the compound, near the section where bottled cooking gas is stored. “The blast”, police continued, “caused extensive damage to the building, several parked vehicles and nearby properties.” The statement added: “At the time of the explosion, motor car PTT 8275, a silver Toyota Premio, was in the compound with driver Jenica Hooper, 27 years, a teacher of Breeda Street, Werk-en-Rust; her mother, Yvonne Jonas, 71 years, a pensioner; her nieces, Soraya Bourne, 6 years, and Seddia McIntosh, 12 years, a student; along with her nephew, Reshard Lord, 7 years, a pupil – all of the said address”, police added in their statement. All of them were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital with the assistance of public-spirited citizens where 6-year-old Soraya Bourne was pronounced dead on arrival. The other victims were treated for injuries, multiple burns and flesh injuries to their bodies. “The explosion also damaged four other motor vehicles and caused minor structural damage to a nearby building”, Police said. Investigators from the Guyana Fire Service, ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department, Forensic experts among other investigators were immediately dispatched to scene. Minister of Home Affairs, Oniedge Walrond informed the nation that explosion might be a form of terrorism. In a statement on her ministry’s Facebook page, Walrond stated, “The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to inform the public that the Guyana Police Force has identified and is actively pursuing a suspect believed to be responsible for the explosion that occurred last evening at the Mobil Service Station, located at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown”. Walrond on Monday also convened a high-level meeting with Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, Head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Sheldon Howell, Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, Deputy Commissioners of Operations and Administration, Mr. Errol Watts and Ravindranauth Budhram. President Irfaan Ali in a statement on the matter said, that while on official duty in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he received comprehensive briefings late regarding the circumstances surrounding the explosion. “I have directed that a full-scale investigation be launched immediately and that every available resource and investigative tool be utilised to determine the precise cause and circumstances of this incident”, the President stated before adding “I was also briefed on the identification of an individual of interest, and I have instructed that images of this person be circulated widely so that the public may assist the Guyana Police Force by sharing any information that could aid the investigation.” Later Monday police released a photo of the person of interest and identified him as a Spanish speaking man. He was dressed in a blue jersey and black pants and had on a black hat. The suspect was recorded on CCTV footage planting two bulky plastic bags next to the gas bottles before leaving the area. Police also issued a wanted bulletin for another man identified as Roberto Fuentes but did not say why he was wanted. Police only stated, “Roberto Fuentes, the driver and owner of the vehicle PSS 7874 is asked to visit the police station closest to his residence. Fuentes was later seen in Facebook comment sections of online media platforms claiming that he had turned himself in and had sold the car in 2024 to an individual who never returned or called back to get it transferred into their name. CCTV footage have also surfaced of the moment the explosion. The car which suffered the full brunt of the blast was seen reversing into the area where the plastic bags were planted. While backing up the explosion went off pitching the car away. The children were seen being flung out of the car. Kaieteur News reported on Monday that one of the employees of the service station was close to where the blast happened and recounted that the children were seated in the car when it happened. She said that the car pulled up and a woman stepped-out and ordered a water from her (Five Gallon). “She then walk and go by the KFC”, she said while adding she wanted to go take out the water and wait (exactly where the car was backing up) while the woman was at KFC. “But something tell me nah le me wait until she come back”. A few moments later the explosion occurred at the exact location where she would have gone to retrieve the bottle of water. As the investigations continue, the Ministry of Home Affairs reported that an advance team from the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, which includes Indian forensic scientists specializing in fire and explosive scene investigations, is working along with local specialists providing technical support. “Following their assessment, the team will advise on any additional resources or measures required to expedite the investigative process”, the Ministry stated earlier on Monday. explosion, forensic, investigators, Mobil Service Station, police
