A 33-year-old Albouystown man was going about his usual early morning routine yesterday when he was gunned down by a shooter who fled the scene leaving only a hat behind.
Rondell Williams of Lot 87 La Penitence Street, Albouystown, Georgetown was returning home from a bid to buy some cigarettes when he was shot four times about the body. Williams, relatives said, was a quiet man who had no problems with anyone and they are baffled by his killing. There have since been reports from residents that a man holding an umbrella was seen running up Independence Boulevard.
Police in a press statement yesterday said that investigations revealed that Williams was “reportedly outside his home when his reputed wife heard two loud explosions. Upon checking Williams was found with suspected gunshot wounds to his chest and left forearm.”
The incident, according to police, occurred at approximately 3.55 am. Williams was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“De last thing he tell me was that he going and buy two cigarettes,” the deceased’s reputed wife Jenell Caesar said yesterday, “I ain’t too sure how long he de gone for but the next thing that really get my attention was two gunshots.”
Caesar said she immediately rushed to the front window and peered out but saw no one “running left nor right”. She saw her reputed husband lying in front of their gate and started to scream. It was the woman’s screams, a close relative related, that awakened everyone and alerted them to the tragedy. Caesar told Stabroek News that her reputed husband was a carpenter.
It was Williams’ habit, the woman said, to get up shortly before 4 am daily. He would go to the shop to get some cigarettes and would normally sit smoking outside for a few minutes. Her reputed husband, Caesar said, was well known and most people in the neighbour knew his routine well.
Although relatives are clueless about why someone would want to kill Williams they believe that the man’s murder was premeditated. The shooter, they said, must have been standing somewhere along the street watching Williams and launched his attack at the right moment.
“People have said that they saw a man running up Independence Boulevard (a street located a short distance away) with an umbrella in his hand,” a relative indicated, “and the only thing he lef’ behind is a hat.”
Immediately after the incident, Caesar recalled, they called an ambulance and the police. Ten minutes later, after a no show by the ambulance, Williams was rushed to the city hospital. Police arrived on the scene shortly after.
All the man’s relatives who spoke to Stabroek News yesterday afternoon indicated that they only heard two gunshots.
Asked if they thought it strange that they heard only two when Williams was reportedly shot four times, relatives were at a loss for an explanation. Residents around the area refused to comment when approached.
The man leaves to mourn his 2-year-old old son. Williams is one of several men who have died in recent weeks at the hands of gunmen. The most recent case is that of guest house owner Tashmudaye Lall who was fatally shot by bandits last Wednesday night. He was shot at his Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo home. Dewan Roshan, a Peter’s Hall businessman who was robbed and shot by gunmen on June 13 at his home, died less than two weeks later at the GPHC.
Thakur Persaud, a businessman of Soesdyke, was ambushed and killed along the UNAMCO trail on June 23. His body was riddled with bullets.
Marlon Britton who was shot on the night of June 8 after the dots of a triangular love affair were connected died at GPHC the following morning. Police had taken several persons into custody for questioning but they were subsequently released.
Julian Edmond Embrack was discovered dead with a gunshot wound to his head on a road in the Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara on April 24. It had been indicated that the man may have committed suicide but police were unable to prove this.
On March 18 Sheriff Taxi driver Keith Bowen was found dead on Sussex Street, West La Penitence, with a gunshot wound to the head. Police last reported that the trail had gone cold in the case. A caretaker of Letter T Estate was the first man to lose his life to gunmen this year. On January 20 Muneshwar Pargass was shot by bandits.
In all of these cases police had indicated that investigations were ongoing. However, there has since been no indication of progress. Persons are yet to be arrested and charged for the deaths of these men.
Last week, East Coast businessman Ramzan Alli was found dead in a rented car at Coldingen with plastic wrapped around his face. He also suffered blunt trauma.
