A Guyanese social media influencer was critically wounded late Saturday in a drive-by shooting outside her home in Georgetown, authorities said.
Lolita Callender, 33, known online as Lola Doll, was shot multiple times just before midnight while seated in her car in front of her East Ruimveldt residence, the Guyana Police Force said in a statement Sunday. She was rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital in critical condition.
Police said preliminary information indicates a male riding a motorcycle approached the vehicle and opened fire. Callender sustained gunshot wounds to the neck, face, hands and right leg, the statement said. The gunman fled the scene.
Investigators on Sunday identified a suspect, Paul Daby Jr., who is wanted in connection with the shooting and has been charged with attempted murder, the police update said. Officers are reviewing closed-circuit television footage from the area and conducting searches to locate the suspect.
Authorities did not disclose a motive for the attack, and an investigation is ongoing. No further arrests were announced.
Callender rose to prominence on social media by promoting her music and appearing at parties in revealing clothing. She has more than 52,000 followers on Instagram and has starred in several explicit music videos for her own songs, including “Snatched” and “Cement Body,” which have garnered hundreds of thousands of views.
The shooting drew immediate attention on local social platforms and among fans, but police urged the public to allow investigators to complete their work. The Guyana Police Force asked anyone with information or relevant footage to come forward to assist the inquiry.
Drive-by shootings and targeted gun attacks are relatively rare in central Georgetown compared with other regions, but law enforcement officials have in recent years stepped up efforts to combat violent crime and illegal firearms. Police statements in the wake of the shooting emphasized that investigators were pursuing all leads and coordinating searches in the East Ruimveldt area.
Hospital officials did not immediately release further details about Callender’s condition beyond confirming she remained in critical condition. The case remains under active investigation by the Guyana Police Force, which has not provided additional comment on a possible motive or any links between the suspect and the victim.