Bandits posing as customers robbed and murdered a Karia Karia, Essequibo River businessman on Wednesday night.
John Paul, 63, who operates a snackette and sells fuel to boat operators in the area, was shot and killed during the robbery which occurred at about 8.30 pm. Police in a press release yesterday said that a group of men, believed to be three in number, carried out the attack.
Investigations, police said, have revealed that the men approached Paul under the pretext of purchasing fuel. It was under this cover that they held-up the businessman at gunpoint. One of the perpetrators was armed with a handgun.
A scuffle, according to police, ensued and Paul was shot to his abdomen. He was taken to the Suddie Hospital where he pronounced dead on arrival.
The men, police further said, also held up Paul’s reputed wife, Sahodra Persaud, 61, and then ransacked the home and took away $195,000 cash and a STIHL chain saw before escaping in a boat.
An Essequibo Coast resident who often takes goods to persons in those remote locations said that such robberies were a steady occurrence.
“It is a dangerous life in there,” he stated, “and people like that can’t depend on the police for protection.”
It takes more than an hour to get from Karia Karia to the nearest police station, the man further said. Access to health care is also another problematic area for persons living at these locations.
This newspaper was reliably informed that Paul was transported from Karia Karia to Supenaam; a 45 minute boat ride. After he arrived at Supenaam the man was rushed to the hospital which was another 20 minute drive away.
“It would’ve been a rough journey for anyone and especially for him at that age,” the Essequibo Coast resident stated. “More needs to be done to provide these people with better access to health care and security.”
