West Canje man fatally shot in property dispute

What was left of Errol Lindo’s two-bedroom home after the dismantling on Wednesday.

A New Amsterdam businessman, Charles Henry aka Charlie Bristol, is currently in police custody in connection with the shooting to death of 52-year-old Errol Lindo called ‘Sono’ and ‘Son-son’ of Caracas Village, West Canje. Lindo was shot thrice about the body at his residence on Wednesday, allegedly by Henry. Originally from Yakusari, Black Bush Polder on the Corentyne, Lindo migrated to New Amsterdam almost two decades ago and took up residence, joining others in squatting on the vast unused lands in the Angoy’s Avenue area. Some four years ago, Henry, a re-migrant who invested in a few businesses in New Amsterdam, claimed ownership of the lands and sought to have the squatters removed.

A legal battle ensued. The businessman and several of the squatters (including the now deceased Lindo) are currently before the courts to determine who has legal rights to the land. While a conclusive decision is yet to be made by the courts, efforts had been made to have the squatters forcibly removed.

According to residents, Henry along with four men arrived at Lindo’s residence sometime around noon on Wednesday and started to dismantle the two-bedroom wooden house. Lindo, a farmer and tractor operator, was not at home at the time. Attempts by Lindo’s sister—who was summoned to the scene by residents after calls to