Guyanese killed in New York wedding reception shooting
ONE Guyanese was shot dead and another wounded three times in a leg Sunday night at a wedding reception, in Hicksville, Long Island, New York. The dead man, a guest at the wedding, was known as Afzal, and he was reportedly shot by a man from a group which `crashed' the reception. Full names and other details of the dead man and the wounded were not immediately available as Police kept a tight lid on reports. The incident was reported on several mainstream television channels during their news hours Sunday night and yesterday morning. Police have not released the names of either victim and have not made any arrest of the perpetrators. They would only say that the investigation was continuing and they were looking for two male Indo-Caribbean nationals who were involved in the shooting. According to several Guyanese who were at the wedding reception for Kumarie Savitree Jagnanand and Kumar Andy Rajesh Jagnanand, both of Richmond Hill, who were married the previous day according to Arya Samaj Hindu rites, there was an argument in the reception hall. This led to a fist fight that was carried outside and it eventually led to the shooting. The incident occurred at the Masonic Temple in Hicksville, a catering hall regularly contracted by Guyanese for receptions. Guyanese are known to have a history of arguments and violence at receptions, including at the Masonic Temple which has no relationship with any Hindu temple. It is a Christian facility. Most of the violence is usually carried out by non-guests. Young Guyanese frequently "crash" receptions and parties and end up in fights when drunk. Police say the two young men wanted for questioning in the shooting were not invited guests. Some guests claimed one of the perpetrators is wanted in Canada for a similar shooting. The wounded has been hospitalised in Long Island and a wake for the dead man will take place tonight in Richmond Hill.
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