A MONEY changer was shot and killed yesterday morning during a robbery in Lombard Street, Georgetown.

The murder took place in the vicinity of Builder’s Lumber Yard and INDESCO, a supplier of industrial tools and equipment, as other people were on their way to work.

Police reported that, at about 08:10 hrs, Brijlall Persaud, 42, of Eccles, East Bank of Demerara, was driving his motor vehicle along Lombard Street, when he was attacked by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun.
The shooter fired several rounds at Persaud, hitting him in the head and other parts of his body and both men escaped with a bag containing some $1M cash.
Persaud was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) and investigations into the shooting are continuing.
At the scene yesterday morning persons who were in the vicinity said that the incident happened so quickly they did not even have the chance to react, as most of the businesses were about to open and some had not yet opened their doors.
Most of them said they heard the gunshots and realised something had taken place when they went to the vehicle and saw the mortally wounded man, with his seatbelt still on, slumped in the driver’s seat.
There were pools of blood and broken glass on the road where Persaud was murdered on his way to America Street, another part of the city where he operates his money-changing business.
Eyewitnesses said that the gunman escaped in a waiting sliver grey Toyota Allion.
Unconfirmed reports said the police managed to locate a vehicle. It is also understood that a security guard was arrested yesterday and the person remains in custody up to press time last night.
At Persaud’s home yesterday, his wife and children were too distraught to speak to the media and other relatives declined to comment.
Persaud is reported to have had no known enemies.

(By Michel Outridge)