Suspect wanted for murder of young businessman still at large

– Police suspect might have fled jurisdiction

Akeem Rajkumar, called “Barney”, 29, the man wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Carlos Waithe who was shot dead last month, is still on the run, according to Police.
Rajkumar, of North East La Penitence and of Leopold Street in Georgetown, allegedly shot and killed Waithe on February 7 at Leopold Street while he was trying to part a fight between friends.
At time of the fatal shooting, Waithe had been consuming alcohol with friends in Charlestown, Georgetown, after which he told them he was leaving to head to a known bar in the same community. It was reported that Waithe, in the company of a friend, arrived at the bar, and his friend became involved in an argument with another patron.
Shortly after, this friend was seen running east on Leopold Street towards Smyth Street, Georgetown, while being chased by a group of men. Loud explosions were heard during the chase, which caused Waithe to also give chase behind the men, yelling “Y’all can’t shoot da man”.
The men then turned their attention to Waithe, and an argument ensued, during which he was shot.
Waithe was then rushed to a private city hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Subsequent to that incident, a wanted bulletin was issued for Rajkumar in relation to the murder. However, to date, the man has not yet been found. One person had also been arrested in relation to the shooting, but was later released.
On Saturday, Guyana Times was reliably informed that the Police are of the belief that the wanted man might have fled the jurisdiction. However, investigations are still ongoing.
The wanted man, Akeem Rajkumar, called Barney, is no stranger to the justice system. In March 2020, he was charged after he committed three robberies in one day. He was refused bail and remanded to prison.
In September 2021, he was charged with harbouring a fugitive. On August 7, 2021 at Leopold Street, while knowing Antonio Maraj, called “Thuggie,” and others had committed an armed robbery, he received, comforted, and harboured him.
Maraj is among three men who are wanted in connection with a $58 million robbery carried out on the Wallison Enterprise at Lot 23 Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown in August 2021. Three persons, including a former soldier, were charged with the robbery. The soldier pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Rajkumar is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 226-6977, 225-8196, 226-9941, 226-1326, 225-3061, 225-3650, 911, or at the nearest Police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.