Cops searching for ‘Rasta Beans’ over Puruni murder

The Guyana Police Force is still searching for the suspect in the murder of 24-year-old Xavier Boyal, who was fatally shot in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Boyal, who was a pork knocker from Waramuri Mission, Moruca River, North West District, was shot and killed sometime between 3 and 3.45 am on Sunday at Puruni Landing.

Boyal was reportedly employed with Rawlston Argyle, a dredge owner, from Supply, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, and was working at Rock Creek, Puruni River. According to a police press release, around 9 pm on Sunday, Boyal left Rock Creek along with one of his co-workers, 20-year-old Orlando Marks, and they headed to Junior’s Disco, also located at Puruni Landing.

When they arrived, Marks allegedly had an altercation with an unknown man, which resulted in him being punched to his face. As a result, Boyal intervened and is reported to have pushed the assailant away. Shortly after, both Marks and Boyal left and were walking along the Puruni Road on the way to their camp.

Sometime after, the police said, 56-year-old Steve Underwood, a food vendor, was starting his car when the suspect, who has been identified as 26-year-old Deion Evans, also known as ‘Rasta Beans,’ joined the vehicle and instructed him to drive.  While Underwood was driving, the man reportedly pulled out a black handgun from the waist of his pants, pointed the gun towards the windscreen and discharged a round in the direction of Boyal, who was walking along the side of the road.  The windscreen shattered and Boyal instantly fell to the ground. Evans then exited the vehicle, discharged another round and escaped.

Police added that three gunshot wounds were seen on Boyal’s body; one above the abdomen, one under the right arm and another to the upper right side of his back.

A 9 mm shell was found on the scene.

The police said that statements have been obtained from several persons and the investigation is still underway, while the suspect is still at large.