Relatives of Anika Barton, the teen who was injured when a gunman executed her father on Laing Avenue two weeks ago are ambivalent about the recent issuing of a wanted bulletin for a suspect.
They say that while they welcome this move made by the police, they are even more fearful that the teen could be in danger with a named suspect out there.
Police on Tuesday issued a wanted bulletin for Aman Lallchand called Randy Persaud whose last known address was Lot 671 Diamond Housing Scheme in connection with the murder of George Barton. Lallchan who is said to be 22 years old was described in the bulletin as being of mixed race and 5’ 8” tall.
The bulletin said that three Thursdays ago, Barton known as `Georgie Berlin’ was killed while in a conversation with his daughter on Laing Avenue. Anika was shot thrice in her knee and once in her buttocks, after her father was killed.
Anyone who may have information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers: 225-2700, 226-2917, 226-4585, 225-2317 or the nearest police station.
The wanted bulletin came several days after a publication in this newspaper, in which the teen’s relatives pleaded with law enforcement authorities to act swiftly on information they have so that those behind the incident could be caught and prosecuted.
Sources told Stabroek News that prior to the bulletin being issued, Lallchand, who has had several brushes with the law, was seen at various locations in the city. Since the warrant, though, there has been no further sighting of him.
Speaking to this newspaper, several of Anika’s close relatives expressed satisfaction that the police were making some effort to move the case forward. But they said that in spite of this new development they were afraid.
A relative, who did not want to be named, said while she was happy with the efforts being made by the police, she did not feel comfortable knowing that a suspect was out there with the knowledge that he was wanted.
“I don’t know what to say… I am even more afraid but God is in charge. All I want is some justice,” she said adding that what happened to Anika was uncalled for.
Relatives of Anika had expressed their fears and concerns to this newspaper over the girl’s safety, late last week.
The teen is now out of hospital after taking her own discharge following the appearance of a strange man at the hospital. Her relatives have vowed to protect her at all costs. Stabroek News was also told of a threatening phone call from an anonymous man and a strange photographer at Barton’s funeral.
Reports were that Barton received a telephone call in the presence of his daughter from someone who asked him to go to Laing Avenue. As the two made their way through the street, just after 8 pm, a car pulled up near them. One of the occupants shouted `B’ referring to Barton, before opening fire on him. He was shot in the back, legs and neck.
The car drove up a little and turned around. A gunman, armed with a smaller gun then fired several rounds at the teen hitting her thrice in the knee and once in the buttocks.
Reports are that seconds before she was shot, one of the occupants of the car had told the gunman that she had to be killed too.
