“Beggar” still at large for Albouystown fatal shooting

– 1 remains in custody

As Police continue their investigations into the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Michael Junior Payne in La Penitence Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, his uncle remains in custody. The prime suspect, Sherlock McKenzie, also called “Beggar” is still on the run.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, Deputy Commander of A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Calvin Brutus said the uncle of the dead man is still being questioned in connection with the shooting incident, while the Police are hunting the prime suspect.

However, this publication understands that the Police was given conflicting statements with respect to what took place. Based on reports received, Payne and his uncle went to the suspect’s house with pieces of steel in their hands to allegedly collect a bicycle that was taken from another relative the day before.

The men, from information gathered, appeared in front of the suspect’s house in a motorcar which was subsequently impounded by the Police. The motorcar reportedly belonged to the now dead man. However, a Police source stated that investigators are also looking at a lead which indicated the shooting stemmed from a deal that went sour.

Payne of Lot 6 Ketley and Drysdale Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, was reportedly shot three times – once to his head, chest and upper left arm.

It was reported that on Thursday evening at about 22:00h, the deceased attempted to pacify a heated argument between the suspect and some other men but his bicycle was left behind.

According to preliminary investigations, at about 06:30h on Friday morning, the deceased and his uncle went to the suspect’s house to retrieve the bicycle but after repeatedly calling and banging on the door and not receiving an answer, they allegedly kicked down the door.

After doing so, they confronted the suspect and a scuffle ensued and it was during this encounter several loud explosions were heard.

A tenant of the apartment building explained that he was asleep and was awakened by someone calling for “Beggar”. He noted that soon after he heard footsteps followed by an argument and then a commotion. The man recalled that he subsequently heard gunshots.

Meanwhile, relatives of the dead man claim it was cold blooded murder, reiterating that after the shooting incident, Payne was relieved of a quantity of gold jewellery he was wearing and about $400,000 in cash that he had in his possession.