–was without usual security entourage
BUSINESSMAN Leonard Mahadeo, called “Tall man”, 38, was riddled with bullets during an execution-style killing on Friday night at the popular Soca Paradise Bar at Old Road, Eccles, East Bank Demerara. The owner of Soca Paradise, Anil Singh, told the Chronicle that Mahadeo had been a known businessman from the Diamond Housing Scheme on the East Bank, Demerara. Singh said the incident occurred sometime between 10:30hrs and 10:45hrs on Friday night.
“We were opened for business as usual. We had customers earlier, but at the time he was killed, it was only him in the shop and the waitress. The men came up and opened fire, killing him; however, they didn’t harm the waitress.”

Tragic events
Recounting what had transpired, Singh explained that he, his wife and the cook had been in the bar, and the waitress was in the shop with the man when two masked men exited a silver-coloured Premio, made their way to the table where Mahadeo was sitting and opened fire.
When they were done, the two men calmly walked outside and boarded the waiting car, which sped away.
Singh said Mahadeo had been a regular customer at his shop, and that this was the first time that such an incident had taken place there. He said he was unaware of any reason why anyone would have wanted Mahadeo dead.
“After everything (had) happened, the police came and they took away the body. We gave our statements, and that was it; we don’t know anything else.”
Singh said Mahadeo’s body was left lying in a pool of blood after the shooting, and while he could not determine what kind of firearm was used, he described them as “big guns.”
Reports from persons in the area and those who had known the man indicated that Mahadeo would normally be accompanied by a large entourage of security guards; but on the night of the incident, he had none.
Residents in the area recalled hearing numerous gunshots, but in fear of their lives, they remained locked indoors.
When the Chronicle arrived on the scene yesterday morning to gather further details with regard to the killing, neighbours had little or nothing to say, noting only that they were just assisting Singh and his family to clean the pools of blood from the shop.

Dead-end
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the wife or any relative of Mahadeo proved futile when this publication visited the home of the deceased in Diamond.
A family member said his wife was not at home, and that they were not in any position to give a comment.
Mahadeo is survived by his wife and six children. Investigation into his killing continues.