Sleuths see Bagotstown murder as ‘hit’ – sources

Patrick Fraser
Patrick Fraser

Investigators probing the gunning down of 20-year-old Patrick Fraser on Thursday night while he was liming with friends at an abandoned house in Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara believe he was the victim of a “hit”.

A police source yesterday informed Stabroek News that up to last evening, no arrest had been made.

The source said that a number of persons from the neighbourhood were contacted and interviewed by detectives, but no useful information was obtained.

Among those was a 31-year-old resident of Eccles who rushed to the scene and transported Fraser to the hospital. The man told the police that he and Fraser were friends. He reportedly said that he was close by when he overheard persons in Norton Street saying “White boy get shoot”.

As a result, he went to the scene where he saw the already shot Fraser and rushed him to the hospital.

The source further noted that while the circumstances surrounding Fraser’s death remain unclear, the police believe that his killing was not a robbery but rather a planned hit.

Information revealed that Fraser was warned on several occasions by relatives to desist from liming at the said property.

Fraser, who is the grandson of the owner of the C&F Mall next to the Demerara Harbour Bridge was shot two times; to his leg and abdomen around 8.30pm  on Thursday.

The incident occurred at an abandoned property located at Norton Street popularly known as the “drug yard”.

The police in a brief statement yesterday said that Fraser was shot by person/s unknown whilst imbibing with friends in the yard. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Hospital.

Residents of the area had previously reported to Stabroek News that Fraser is known to the area and would frequent the abandoned lot with friends. They were unsure of what might have caused the incident since there was no prior argument or altercation that they noticed or heard.

When Stabroek News revisited the scene yesterday, residents remained tightlipped about the incident.

The police recovered a .32 spent shell, one warhead, a pair of black and orange slippers and a white Polo cap at the scene.