Taxi Driver Granted $750,000 Bail Over Shooting Outside City Bar

A 21-year-old taxi driver and car rental operator was on Tuesday granted bail on multiple charges after being accused of wounding three men and discharging a firearm during a violent altercation outside a popular Georgetown bar.

The accused, Uquawn Williams of South Ruimveldt/Lamaha Park, Georgetown, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was charged with discharging a loaded firearm with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or cause grievous bodily harm to Joshua Persaud, Asher Waddell, and Sherwin Vincent.

The incidents allegedly occurred on July 19 on Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown.

Williams was also charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and 10 live 9mm rounds of ammunition.

Represented by attorneys Darren Wade and another counsel, Williams pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His legal team told the court that he is self-employed as both a taxi driver and a car rental service provider.

The lawyers further claimed that Williams had a previous altercation with the same individuals and that both parties were taken to the police station on an earlier occasion, where they agreed to resolve the matter.

However, on the date of the current incident, which took place at the Red Dragon Bar, his attorneys alleged that Williams was attacked, beaten, and robbed by the same individuals.

They said he was thrown onto the corner of Robb Street and left for dead. He was later found in an unconscious state by police, who transported him to the hospital for treatment.

After regaining consciousness, he was taken into custody.

The defense argued that Williams did not possess a firearm and denied ever discharging one. According to his attorneys, he was “gun-butted” to the head and rendered unconscious.

They contended that while he was unconscious, a firearm was allegedly handed over to the police by one of the alleged attackers, who claimed it belonged to Williams.

The defense questioned the credibility of that claim, arguing that no fingerprints or direct evidence linked Williams to the weapon, and that he could not be held responsible for any actions that occurred while he was unconscious.

They also noted that police recovered only one spent shell and provided no direct link between Williams and the firearm.

They emphasized that their client was searched by security personnel before entering the club and that no weapon was found in his possession at that time.

Despite these claims, the prosecution strongly objected to bail, citing public safety concerns and the seriousness of the charges.

The prosecutor argued that Williams discharged a firearm in a crowded area, endangering lives.

They added that while the weapon was not recovered from Williams, eyewitnesses claimed he fired the shot, and that the alleged attackers beat and restrained him before the firearm was recovered.

The prosecution further stated that, based on available statements, it was Joshua Persaud who sustained a gunshot injury.

Surveillance footage from the club was also submitted to the court.

While the defense claimed the footage only showed Williams entering the venue after being searched, the video presented in court revealed Williams outside the premises before his entry.

Nonetheless, the magistrate noted that the footage did not clearly indicate Williams was in possession of a firearm.

The court also acknowledged that the weapon was never found on the accused, nor was there conclusive evidence directly linking him to it.

Taking all arguments into consideration, the magistrate granted Williams bail in the sum of $150,000 for each of the five offenses, totaling $750,000.

He is scheduled to return to court on August 13 as the matter continues.