Cane harvester shot dead after refusing to leave BBP liquor shop

A cane harvester was shot and killed after he reportedly refused to leave a Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder (BBP), Corentyne, Berbice grocery/liquor store on New Year’s Day.

The dead man has been identified as 29-year-old Yognand Chetram also called ‘Boie’, of Alness Village, Corentyne Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)
Based on reports received, the now-dead man and his brother had gone into the T. Ramnarine Store but were later asked by the owner to leave the premises which they refused to do. Police said that the 65-year-old businessman who is a licensed firearm holder was subsequently taken into custody.
The now dead man’s wife, Roshnie Baichan explained that her husband and other family members left home at about 4:30h for BBP to spread fertiliser to a rice field after which they went into the shop to change some money in smaller notes so it could have been divided equally.
The woman stated that her husband would normally go to the said shop after getting paid to ‘break up’ the money so it can be parted equally among the workers.
She said about an hour after her father-in-law returned home, she did not hear from her husband and decided to contact him via telephone. She was reportedly told that he was still in BBP and was on his way to change the money.
Again, after some time had elapsed and he did not return home, she went in search of him. “When I reach the shop, he said he was going, I see him lie down on the road dead. I try turning him over for him to wake up and when ‘Antie’ come she say ‘no pulse’, that he dead.”
According to the mother of three, there was no one at the scene when she arrived and the gates to the shop were closed.
However, the police stated that the businessman related that there was an argument among persons in the beer garden and the now-dead man along with others were breaking bottles and threatening each other.
The businessman told detectives that he attempted to close his gate when Chetram and another man threw him onto the ground thus causing injuries to his elbow. He added that while on the ground and being threatened with bottles, he whipped out his firearm and discharged two rounds hitting Chaitram who later collapsed.
He then secured his premises and reported the incident to the police. At the scene, Police found two .32 spent shells – one inside the shop and one outside near the gate.
Meanwhile, the dead man’s brother, Devendra who was with him at the time of the shooting incident recalled that three shots were fired from inside the shop.
“When awe go in the shop they get a couple well more Black Bush people in the shop we call pon “Uncle” and he tell awe come out the shop,” he said while stating that his brother did not get the money changed.
The brother recalled encouraging the now-dead man to leave the shop as he went out to get a taxi to take them home.
“Me buddy know one and two body who went in the shop and he start talk with dem and me walk come out the shop,” he added.
According to Devendra, while he was outside, he heard a gunshot and shortly after he saw his brother running out of the shop with the owner running behind with the gun in his hands. He then discharged a third round, he stated.
He said that the businessman pointed the gun in his direction but out of fear for his life, he walked away leaving his brother on the ground.
An autopsy conducted on Chetram gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to a gunshot injury. (Andrew Carmichael)