-after hospital release
Zeerapan John, who shot Leroy Cornelius dead while defending himself during an attack at his Linden farm on Sunday, was discharged from the Linden Hospital Complex yesterday, after which he was taken into custody before being released on station bail.
Cornelius, 20, and two others, identified as “Casper” and “Totaram,” allegedly attacked John, of Callender Street Albouystown, at his farm at Moblissa on Sunday. It was reported that the three frequently taunted John, calling him “Old Higue.” On Sunday, they attacked the man, hitting him over the head with a bottle and chopping him multiple times about his body. Cornelius was fatally shot during the attack.
Up to press, neither “Totaram,” who is said to have been the instigator of the attack nor “Casper” was arrested. It was reported that the two had attempted to bury Cornelius after dragging him away from the scene but police have maintained that the body was found in the vicinity of John’s house where he was shot.
According to a police source, there was a trail of blood from the door into a section of the house. This suggested that Cornelius might have been shot while in the house from where he crawled to the door. Alternatively, the blood could be that of John, who said after the attack he crawled into the house to get to his cell phone to summon help.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that a post-mortem examination found that Cornelius died as a result of a punctured lung.
Relatives of Cornelius had said they had last seen him last Friday, around 10 pm, in the company of “Totaram” and a few other friends. He had visited their home and discussed his intended return home for his birthday celebration. Leroy would have celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday.
