A businessman from East Bank Berbice (Region Six: East Berbice-Corentyne) was shot and killed in his home by a lone gunman on Thursday at about 10:30hrs; and a suspect has since been arrested in connection with the murder and robbery.
Dead is Hemchan Utam, called ‘Jetto’, 54, of Edinburgh Village, EBB, who operated a store selling construction materials and also operated Jetto Trucking Service.
Reports are that at the time of the incident, Hardat Joseph, a neighbour and employee, was in the shop with the businessman while his wife and daughter were in the upper flat of the building, where they reside.
Jetto and his worker were conducting business when the lone unmasked gunman approached them.
Dead: Hemchan Utam, called ‘Jetto’
“Was me and he standing there, and we see this man coming in and we thought was a customer. He had a black bag on his back and he had on a helmet, and he walk up to us and take out a gun and shoot Jetto, and then say, ‘Give me the money!’ He hold on to Jetto and take off the rings from his finger,” Joseph recalled.
Joseph said that despite being shot, Jetto fought to disarm the gunman. He said the bandit pointed the gun at him as he also tried to disarm the gunman.
According to Joseph, the businessman’s wife then shouted from upstairs for him to give the bandit whatever he wanted.
“Jetto call pon she to bring down the money…He just collect the ring dem, and he get the money and he gone,” Joseph related.
The suspect fled the scene with a quantity of jewellery and money.
Jetto was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.
There are reports that a car was spotted in the community shortly before the incident. Reports also indicate that after the gunshot was fired, the car left the community.
Police have said a suspect is in custody, assisting with their investigations. A motorcar which is suspected to be the getaway vehicle has also been lodged.
