Guard in suspected suicide in Russian embassy compound

A Post-Mortem Examination (PME) is expected to be done today on the body of security guard Calvin Booker, 47, who was found dead in the compound of the Russian Embassy, Kitty Byways yesterday morning.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud when contacted by this newspaper said that from all indications the death was a suicide. He added that Booker was found with a gunshot wound to the right side of his head.

He said that Booker is right-handed and the gunshot wound was consistent with this fact. He added that Booker

Calvin Booker
Calvin Booker

was employed with the GEB Guard Service.

Police yesterday said that investigations are being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the death of the man of Penny Lane Street, South Ruimveldt.

It was further stated that at about 3:10am on January 30, 2014, his body was found with a suspected gunshot wound to the head in the guard hut where he was on duty.

According to his brother, Patrick,  Booker left home on Wednesday around 4:30 pm for work.

Persaud  said that the gun which was issued by his workplace was found at the scene with five live rounds. One spent shell he said was found at the scene. He said that from all indications this was the firearm used to inflict the gunshot wound that Booker sustained.

However, Booker’s brother told Stabroek News that he was told that the weapon was not found. He added that he has no idea whether his brother committed suicide because his brother never indicated that he was in any sort of emotional distress or had problems of any sort.

He said that his brother was a peaceful man who rarely went anywhere other than work.

“He is a man does be from work to home…he don’t walk all over the place,” Patrick said.

Maurice Amres, Chief Executive Officer, GEB Guard Service, said that Booker’s body was discovered by the shift supervisor, also attached to the guard service.

He added that Booker was a very good worker, who received awards from the company, including the best dressed award last year.

Booker had been an employee of GEB since January 2012.

Amres told Stabroek News that he never got any red flags that would have suggested Booker was in any sort of distress or trouble. He too was baffled as to why Booker would supposedly take his own life.