Bartica businessman, porter shot dead in $37M gold heist

…miners’ association outraged, calls for justice

Two men – a businessman and a porter — were killed during a daring robbery on Sunday morning in Arimu Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Dead are 50-year-old businessman Mohamed Zaheer Sheriff and 26-year-old Donovan Washington.
Police said the incident occurred around 10:00h Sunday. It was revealed that two masked men, on a red All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), carted off 102 ounces of raw gold valued at $37 million and two licensed firearms (a .32 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun), property of Sheriff, a father of three of Byderabo Road, Bartica.
Investigations so far revealed that Sheriff was the owner of a six-inch land dredge operation at Arimu Backdam and he had ‘washed down’ on Sunday morning. He then left the camp along with Washington, also a father of three, of Seventh Avenue, Bartica, on an ATV.
The men were en route to Bartica.

According to Police, the General Manager for Sheriff’s operation reported that about five minutes after his boss left camp, he heard several loud explosions which he suspected to be gunshots.
He said he went to investigate, and about 500 metres from the camp, found both Sheriff and Washington lying in the trail with gunshot injuries about their bodies.
Police said that the 39-year-old manager reported that he observed that both of Sheriff’s firearms and the gold were missing. He later made a report to the Bartica Police Station.
Sheriff’s body was examined, and Police said he was shot in his right upper chest, upper right thigh, upper right arm, and left upper back.
Washington’s body was also examined. He was shot to his lower abdomen, left chest, left shoulder, left hand, and left elbow, with four wounds to the right thigh, two to the left thigh, and one to his back.
The scene was processed and one .32 magazine with eight live matching rounds, seven 9mm spent shells, and three .32 spent shells were found.
Meanwhile, a close relative of Washington disclosed to Guyana Times that they received a call on Sunday morning that the duo was ambushed shortly after processing raw gold from the mining operations. The relative said that the family was still in shock at the man’s sudden death.

Condemnation
Responding to the tragedy, Chairman and Managing Director of the Small Miners Association Guyana Inc, David Daniels, expressed profound grief and condemnation for the senseless violence.
“The Small Miners Association Guyana mourns the loss of our esteemed Treasurer and Director, Mohamed Zaheer Sheriff, in a despicable act of violence. Today, we grieve the untimely passing of Zaheer, a dedicated member, friend, and colleague. His unwavering dedication to Guyana’s mining community was evident in every endeavour,” Daniels stated.
He said the circumstances surrounding the men’s tragic demise, suspected to be a robbery, underscore the grave risks endured by those residing and labouring in Guyana’s interior regions.
” Such heinous acts of violence not only rob individuals of their lives but also shatter the peace and security of our communities. We vehemently condemn this cowardly act and demand swift justice for Mohamed Zaheer Sheriff, Donovan Washington, and their grieving families,” the association’s statement continued.
Further, the association urged the Government to swiftly implement robust security measures to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of individuals in the country’s interior regions.
“It is imperative that decisive action be taken to address the underlying factors fuelling such violence, ensuring the protection of our citizens,” the association asserted. (G9)