Masked gunman kills elderly Pomeroon farmer

The police in ‘G’ Division are investigating the murder of a 73-year-old farmer, who was shot and killed by a lone gunman at his Grant Maria’s Delight, Lower Pomeroon River home on Friday evening.

Deonarine (only name), also known as ‘Russian,’ of Grant Maria’s Delight, Lower Pomeroon River, was shot once to his abdomen.

He was later rushed to the Charity Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Guyana Police Force Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan confirmed the fatal shooting, which took place around 6.30 pm on Friday.

He said while the suspect, who was masked at the time of the attack, is being sought, the police had detained Deonarine’s 46-year-old partner to assist with the investigation.

The woman, who works as a cleaner and lived with Deonarine, reportedly witnessed his murder.

According to the police, enquiries revealed that approximately one hour before the attack, Deonarine went to Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, where he picked up the now detained woman and took her to their home.

The woman reportedly related to the police that they were sitting at a table when Deonarine went to answer a call at the front door.

She told the police that he was confronted by the suspect, who was said to have been armed with a “long gun.”

“The female intervened, [and] held onto the suspect’s weapon,” a police statement said, while noting that the masked man then whipped out a knife and the woman reportedly held on to that as well.

Deonarine ran downstairs and the suspect allegedly pushed down the woman and went after him. He subsequently shot him and then fled.