Alpha Poole, one of the men recently placed on bail in connection with the abduction of Joshua David, is now facing an additional charge for allegedly discharging a loaded firearm.
Poole, a 35-year-old clothes vendor from 52 Stanley Place, Kitty, appeared before Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he was charged with unlawfully discharging a loaded firearm in Kitty, Georgetown, on February 24.
Poole, who is already facing pending charges for the abduction of David—a case in which the victim remains missing—denied the firearm allegations against him. His attorney, Domnick Bess, argued that no firearm was found on Poole, in his possession, or even in close proximity to him when searches were conducted.
Bess further pointed out that two other individuals had already been charged for the same shooting incident, and questioned why Poole was being charged a month later. He emphasised that his client had been complying with all court-mandated conditions in the abduction case, regularly attending hearings, and fully cooperating with law enforcement.
Given this, Bess requested reasonable bail, stating that Poole posed no flight risk.
The prosecution strongly objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the charge and Poole’s ongoing legal issues related to the abduction of David. Prosecutors highlighted that the penalty for discharging a loaded firearm is severe and argued that Poole’s alleged involvement in two serious crimes made him a flight risk.
Additionally, the prosecution claimed to have video footage of the firearm incident. However, they noted that the footage only showed an “alleged firearm” and did not provide conclusive proof that a real weapon was used.
In response, Chief Magistrate McGusty ruled that the charge of discharging a firearm falls under a minor offence as per the relevant laws. She acknowledged that Poole had been complying with previous court-imposed conditions in the abduction case. As a result, she granted him bail in the sum of $50,000.
Poole is expected to return to court on April 9, 2025, for the next hearing in this matter.
Poole remains a key figure in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of David.
In September 2024, he and six other men , Aaron Alleyne, known as ‘Cats’; Wayne Barker, 34, of Laing Avenue, Georgetown; Damion Barlow, 32, of Sophia; Dwayne Griffith, known as ‘Sheep’, 27; and Daventai Mars, 21, of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, were jointly charged with the abduction of David, who was taken from Main Street, Georgetown, on the night of September 26, 2024. The victim had reportedly gone to purchase food when he was forcibly taken and has not been seen since.
Despite extensive searches, including operations in the backlands of Buxton and Annandale, East Coast Demerara, authorities have yet to locate David. The case remains under active investigation.
During the initial court proceedings, Poole and his co-accused were granted $500,000 bail each after their attorneys argued that there was insufficient evidence directly linking them to the crime. Two other men, who were previously charged with the abduction, had their charges withdrawn due to lack of evidence.
