Businessman, who allegedly shot partner 12 times, slapped with murder charge

…to appear in court today

Thirty-two-year-old Marlon DaSilva who allegedly pumped 12 bullets into his child mother’s body on Saturday evening following a dispute at home will make his first appearance at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court today.
The businessman of Lot 1179 Section ‘A’ Block ‘X’ Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD will be arraigned with the murder of 27-year-old Kenesha Marie Juman Vaughn.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed on Tuesday that the man has been charged after detectives received the necessary advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions to proceed with the murder charge.
Vaughn and DaSilva were in an intimate relationship for four years, during which they had a three-year-old son.
The family resided together at the Diamond Housing Scheme address for the past year.
Reports are that on Saturday at about 20:00h, DaSilva arrived home and met the victim – who was at the time inside the kitchen when a heated argument ensued between them during which the suspect dealt the victim a slap.

In retaliation, the woman allegedly armed herself with knife and as she was approaching the suspect, he whipped out his firearm from his front pants waist and discharged several rounds in the victim’s direction hitting her to several parts of her body.
She immediately fell to the ground and became motionless. After allegedly committing the act, the suspect contacted the police, who responded and rushed the victim to the Diamond Hospital, where she died.
Guyana Times understands that the shooting allegedly stemmed after the victim confronted the businessman about several inappropriate text messages from a male friend.
At the scene, four 9MM cases and three suspected projectiles were recovered. An inspection on the victim’s body revealed 12 injuries described as entry and exit wounds.
Police also confirmed that the suspect was highly intoxicated and was earlier in the evening seen consuming alcohol at a popular drinking establishment on Main Street, Georgetown.
On Sunday, Human Services and Social Security Minister Vindhya Persaud spoke out on the issue of domestic violence within the country.

In a statement via her Facebook page on Sunday, the minister highlighted that the senseless killing; robbing children of their mother, and families of their daughters and siblings, continues to plague Guyana country, adding that regardless of the situation, nothing justifies taking a person’s life.
The minister noted that despite the many systems the ministry has put in place, this unfortunate reality could only be altered if individuals change their mindsets.
“Men, let her go if the relationship is unhealthy, plagued by jealousy, or she wants to move on, or whatever the reason; beating, killing, abusing, will never be right. Women, leave and stay away from perpetrators of violence, even if you have children; they are not going to change if they are beating, raping or abusing you; killing might be next the red flags… the Family Violence Act has provisions to support you if you want to leave, and the State Provides shelter,” she pleaded.