‘B’ DIVISION police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 40-year-old farmer of Upper Corentyne on Thursday night.

The man, identified as Parmanand Lakeram called “Bachan” or “Fancy”, a cattle farmer and rice farmer of Lot 53 Section ‘B’ #58 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was found in sitting position next to his vehicle at around 21:00hrs on Thursday night in the backlands, with approximately seven gunshot wounds about his body.

According to reports, the man had gone to the Number 67 backlands with two of his workers and was in the process of tying two cows, when they noticed a motorcycle approaching. Lakeram allegedly told his workers to hide in the bushes as he went to investigate who was on the motorcycle.

However, as he approached the motorcycle, the sounds of gunshots filled the air and he darted, shouting to his worker that (name provided) had shot him. He shouted to his workers to run. As they tried to escape, the shots continued to ring out in the still night air.
After a few moments, the assailant left and Lakeram’s workers went to check on him. They found him sitting motionless against the wheel of his motor bus GGG 9281 with several gunshot wounds about his body, including two in the head.
The men reportedly walked the one mile distance from the public road and notified the brother of Lakeram what had transpired.

The police were notified and they cordoned off the scene. Lakeram’s body was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police have kept the workers in custody for questioning. They have been swabbed for gunpowder residue.

Relatives of Lakeram said they are unaware he had enemies. He had reportedly gone to check on his pump that was irrigating his rice fields when the incident occurred.
Police sources have confirmed that the suspect in the shooting has turned himself over to police late Friday evening, and the two workers were, up to press time, still in custody assisting with investigations.