Security guard shot dead at Chinese supermarket

A 37-year-old security guard was shot dead on Thursday afternoon during a suspected robbery at Lida Supermarket, located at the corner of Charles and Sussex Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown.
Dead is Esan Orlando Rose, of Laing Avenue, Georgetown, who was employed by a private security firm and assigned to the Chinese-owned supermarket.

According to preliminary Police investigations, the incident occurred at about 15:15h on Thursday, while Rose was performing security duties at the premises.
Police said two males approached the security guard, one of whom was reportedly armed with a handgun. The armed suspect discharged a round in Rose’s direction, striking him in the chest and causing him to fall to the ground.
Both suspects subsequently fled the scene.
A firearm that Rose was carrying in connection with his duties as an armed security guard was recovered at the scene and lodged by Police. Investigations are ongoing.
At the scene, Rose’s wife, visibly overcome with grief, recounted her final interaction with him earlier that day.

2 jobs to support family
“He only brought food today [Thursday] around one-something, and then he said he was going to go and pick up [something]. Then, when I come back here at the Chinese, this is what I see,” she said.
The grieving woman said she had repeatedly encouraged her husband to obtain a bulletproof vest, expressing concern about his safety while on duty. She also recalled that he had experienced disagreements with the supermarket’s management.
“He is a Muslim; he goes and prays every time. When Ramadan comes, I can’t believe that he is gone. He is my best; now my breadwinner is gone,” she said.
Rose’s wife explained that she had been working two jobs to support the family and that her husband had joined the security firm to help ease the financial burden.
“Now I have to come back out on the road and look after all of this. I am feeling bad because he is my husband. Now I can’t imagine a day without my breadwinner. I need to go to the masjid and tell the imam what is going on,” she added.
She broke down in tears as she reflected on the loss of her husband and the responsibility of caring for their family.

Family man
Rose’s son also spoke about his father’s role in the household, describing him as a devoted family man who ensured that the family’s daily needs were met.
“He’s the sole breadwinner. Every morning, he gets up at 6:00h and makes sure he helps Mommy in whatever way he can around the house. Then he would drop his son off at school and head to work, as my mother would do the same with my other little brother,” he said.
He explained that he and his younger sister were the two eldest children and would have to gradually take on more responsibilities following their father’s death.
Police have said investigations into the fatal shooting are continuing.