Cops take suspects back to scene of Bartica man’s murder

Dead: Perion Nicholas Bobb
Dead: Perion Nicholas Bobb

Investigators along with the two suspects in the murder of Bartica resident Perion Nicholas Bobb, have returned to the scene at Kuribrong in Region Eight where Bobb was fatally shot on Sunday, Commander of ‘F’ Division Kevin Adonis confirmed yesterday.

Contacted for an update last evening, Adonis told Stabroek News that a team of ranks investigating the incident departed for the scene on Tuesday evening for a second visit. They were accompanied by the two suspects who have since been providing the police with conflicting information, Adonis said.

One of the suspects in custody is Bobb’s alleged killer. The police are on the hunt for others including the alleged mastermind of the crime.

Stabroek News had previously reported that Bobb was killed after he was confronted by a group of men, after reporting to the police that persons were stripping a vehicle. His co-worker, Emmanuel Jeffrey, 60, a miner of Kuribrong and of Good Hope Village, East Coast Deme-rara was also allegedly abducted.

The murder had occurred around 5:30pm on Sunday while Bobb was transporting dredging equipment from Kuribrong Trail to Kuribrong Backdam for Jeffrey.

Bobb was shot once in his stomach. His body was later found slumped over the steering wheel of the pick-up he was driving. An autopsy yesterday revealed that he died as a result of gunshot injuries to the chest.

It is suspected that Bobb was shot because he reported that the suspect was stripping another miner’s vehicle for parts. He reported what he had witnessed to both the police and the owner of the vehicle.

Jeffrey had stated that while he and Bobb were proceeding along the trail, he observed a truck proceeding in the opposite direction at a slow rate. As a result, he said, Bobb stopped his pick-up for the truck to pass. The truck was some distance away and Jeffrey told the police he heard two explosions, after which he jumped out of the pick-up and lay face down on the ground.

Shortly after, Jeffrey noted that he heard a strange voice, which ordered him to jump into the truck. In fear, he complied and entered the tray of the truck, where he saw about eight men, who ordered him to lay face down. About 15 minutes into the journey, Jeffrey said he managed to jump off the lorry and made good his escape. He walked back to the scene, where he discovered that Bobb had died.