Middle Street cordoned off as police attempt to capture a berserk man. Photo: demwaves

"The police subsequently stormed the building and came under fire from Deryck Kanhai. The ranks returned fire and he was fatally shot," Police Force spokesman, Ivelaw Whittaker said in a statement,

Those killed by the assailant were policemen Lance Corporal 20293 Michael Forde and Constable 18053 Sherwin Pantlitz as well Crown Taxi Service  dispatcher, Vanessa Williams and an taxi driver, Bonny Paul. 

Derrick Kanhai
The man, who went berserk- Derrick Kanhai- was later shot dead by police, ending a stand-off on the block between Thomas and East Streets that lasted several hours. Police said they recovered one shotgun, one .32 pistol and one .22 pistol.

The man, who was inside the building above the taxi service, was apparently monitoring the situation by a video surveillance system before deciding when to shoot.

Well-placed sources said Kanhai, who was a miner, was a heavy cocaine user. He was having problems with his girlfriend.

The episode forced police to cordon off the block, fire teargas and even ask for aerial reconnaissance by the Guyana Defence Force helicopter.

"A stand off ensued between the police ranks and Deryck Kanhai as efforts were made to arrest him during which there was exchange of gunfire and the use of tear smoke was also employed by the police," added the police force spokesman.