Still no arrests in Chinese restaurant murder

The man who fatally shot restaurant waitress Debra Blackman during a failed robbery attempt continues to elude the police, as they pursue all leads, though his actions were captured on videotape.

Blackman called ‘Debbie,’ 48, of Critchlow Circle, Tucville, had been employed as a waitress and cashier at the Delicious Chinese Restaurant for the past 10 years. She was shot as she attempted to run from the gunman during the robbery.

Two weeks after the shooting, an arrest is yet to be made. When contacted yesterday, ‘A’ Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken told Stabroek News that the police are still making enquiries and questioning persons.

Debra Blackman
Debra Blackman

The video footage captured the face of the shooter, who is not known to the police. Part of the footage seen by this newspaper showed a young man, dressed in a grey t-shirt, dark-coloured pants and a red cap, standing by the counter. Two men then entered the restaurant and were acting nervously.

Though they entered separately, based on the way they were acting it would appear that all three were known to each other. The man in the cap remained standing at the counter and could be seen constantly glancing around. Though he was wearing a cap, at several points his face could be clearly seen.

Stabroek News was told that Blackman was shot as she was preparing to hand over the food ordered. Footage captured from the cameras outside the restaurant showed the gunman fleeing the scene on a CG motorcycle, this newspaper was also told.

Blackman sustained a single gunshot wound. The bullet entered her body through her neck and exited through her shoulder.