East Ruimveldt chef charged with murdering Linden shop owner

Romel Edison Gomes
Romel Edison Gomes

An East Ruimveldt man was on Wednesday charged with the murder of Linden shop owner Romel Edison Gomes.

The accused, John Caesar, 35, of East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Clive Nurse.

Caesar, a chef, was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded until May 2nd.

Last week Wednesday, Caesar was arrested by police. A second suspect is still being pursued.

On March 12th, Gomes, a father of one, of Lot 53 Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden, was found in his shop in a pool of blood with his hands bound and a kerchief tied around his mouth.

It is suspected that the murder occurred sometime around 5.30 pm. After committing the murder, the suspects fled the scene in Gomes’ car, PVV 2057, which had been parked in front of his premises. The car was recovered intact about 9 am the following day at One Mile Wismar, which was said to be a seven-minute drive from the scene.

The accounts of multiple persons who were in the vicinity suggest that Gomes was approached in his shop by two men. An argument ensued, during which he was shot.

Residents reported hearing a loud explosion coming from the scene and upon checking they discovered Gomes’ lifeless body in a pool of blood.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Gomes died as a result of gunshot injury to the head.