– three held for questioning

THE battered body of a businessman was discovered in a clump of bushes on a farm at area ‘AA’, Portuguese Quarter, Port Mourant, on Thursday morning, a short distance from his home.

Lomenzo Johnny called “Sham”, 49, a grocery store owner of Lot 11, East Side Line Dam, Portuguese Quarter, was last seen alive at around 19:30hrs on Wednesday as he went out for his usual evening jog.

His remains were discovered around 07:45hrs with his feet tied with a black lace, severe wounds to his head, injury to the left eye and strangulation marks on the neck. Wounds were also seen on his back and bruises to the hands.

About four feet away from his body, a red and black sneakers, a pair of scissors and a piece of wood, about three feet in length, were found. After committing the act, the killer/s took the key to Johnny’s home where they went and ransacked the premises and carried away a safe.

His cellphones and an electronic tablet device were left untouched. Police subsequently found a .25 auto pistol with 28 live rounds of ammunition in a bedroom of the home.
As news spread of the incident, residents of the neighbouring Rose Hall Town flocked to the scene, expressing shock while others broke down in tears as they described Johnny as a calm, caring and quiet individual.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, an employee of the grocery shop, Ena Alexander, recalled she came to work expecting to start a normal day when the news she received made her very sad.

She related that when she arrived at work, she noticed the shop was not opened but the gate was left ajar. Crates that are usually stocked each other were removed and placed in the yard.

She thought her boss was unwell and he went over by a friend to seek help. She and a co-worker ventured over to the friend but much their disappointment Johnny was not there.
The woman recalled moments later that she and the other worker returned to his home and continued calling for him but received no response.

“At first, I thought like he not well and his pressure went up so he went by one of his friend to check it but when we went there, they said he didn’t come by so we walk back and we hearing the phone ringing inside, so little bit after a relative came and saw the door wasn’t bolted so when he went inside, the whole house ransacked so he called the police,” Alexander related.

Soon after, she said someone passed and mentioned that a body was found and moments after her worst fear were confirmed.

“I still can’t believe it. He didn’t deserve that, imagine, I am still shaking. He was a very good man that usually helps people,” Alexander said.

Meanwhile, a neighbour, Mahendra Budhoo, related that when Johnny returned from his usual exercise, he would meet with persons along the street and would “gaff” on his way down.

“Pastor George see him when he passed so I say I going to wait for him, sometimes we stand up here and talk for a long time about politics, religion and anything. Never in my wildest dream could I believe that Sham would have dead like this. We live so good. This man is very peaceful, gentle and nice. This morning when I went to the scene, I couldn’t get up. I just break down, I get weak, weak,” the neighbour said.

Police have arrested several persons for questioning as they continue their investigations into the incident.