There is no evidence that an AK-47 rifle was used in the murder of carpenter Vikesh Budhram of Foulis, East Coast Demerara, police said in a press statement last evening.

Further, the police press release stated that Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh had performed a post-mortem examination on the body of Budhram yesterday and the cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage due to gun shot injury.

The release also staated that traces of powder burns were discovered on the man’s neck during the examination. According to the police, this suggests that he was shot at close range and they are concerned about this.

The press release was sent in response to an article captioned ‘Carpenter executed in bed with AK-47”, which was carried in Monday’s edition of the Kaieteur News. Since the publication of the article, police stated, members of the public have been contacting the force to express their “concern and alarm.

“While it has been confirmed that a 7.62 x 39 calibre spent shell and warhead were recovered at the scene, this calibre of ammunition can be used in various other types of firearms in addition to the AK-47,” the police said.

Further, the police stressed that no one saw what type of firearm/s the perpetrator/s were carrying and ballistics tests are still being conducted on the warheads.
Budhram was murdered on Saturday night while sleeping.