– Police hunting two suspects

A PARIKA Backdam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) farmer, mechanic and businessman was shot dead at his home, after being robbed by two bandits Tuesday night.
Dead is 46-year-old Somdat ‘Rakesh’ Ramgobin of Parika Backdam, EBE. He leaves two sisters and six brothers to mourn his death.

Police said they are making stringent efforts to quickly arrest the two bandits who allegedly robbed and killed the farmer/businessman at his residence about 21:30h Tuesday night.

Reports indicate that the businessman was cooking when the bandits attacked him.
One of the bandits, who brandished a handgun, entered the businessman’s premises and demanded cash and jewellery.

The businessman, after being struck with a bottle to his head, handed over a sum of cash and directed the men inside of his grocery shop, located at the front, where he had more cash.

Police said that as the suspects were leaving, the unarmed bandit took away the firearm from his accomplice and reportedly shot the businessman and they then escaped in a waiting motorcar.

The victim was pronounced dead on arrival at the Leonora Cottage Hospital. The body was transported to the Ezekiel’s Parlour and is awaiting an autopsy.

Residents in the area are of the opinion that the bandits knew the right time to attack the businessman since there was another activity in the area that caused persons to be distracted.

“There was a ‘9-day’ for a baby right up the road and everyone from the area attended and I can recall people were begging him to come over at the ‘9-day’ but he didn’t come over and no one heard any gunshots,” one resident said.