After almost five days on the run, the prime suspect in the murder of Michael Payne, who was gunned down in Albouystown, Georgetown was apprehended on Tuesday evening. He is expected to be arraigned with murder shortly.
Dead: Michael Junior Payne
Sherlock McKenzie, also called “Beggar”, was arrested about 20:30h in Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown. The suspect fled the murder scene, hours after he shot and killed the 27-year-old of Lot 6 Ketley and Drysdale Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown.
It was reported that on the evening before the shooting, Payne attempted to pacify a heated argument between the suspect and some other men, but his bicycle was left behind.
According to preliminary investigations, about 06:30h on Friday, Payne and his uncle went to the suspect’s house to retrieve the bicycle, but after repeatedly calling and banging on his door and getting no answer, they allegedly kicked down the door.
After doing so, they confronted the suspect and a scuffle ensued during which several loud explosions were heard. Payne was shot three times – once to his head, chest and upper left arm.
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.
