Unknown persons early yesterday morning attempted to torch another building controlled by executed Pest Co boss Mohammed Baksh, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle has confirmed.
Gentle told this newspaper that a fire was set at the back of the building at three different points and some flammable liquid was found at the scene. The building is located on Sheriff Street opposite Club Monaco.
He said the fire service received a call around 3.25 am and responded immediately with three fire tenders.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud has since said that investigators are trying to ascertain whether the buildings are insured and who stood to benefit if they were destroyed. He again said that at the moment there is nothing that proves there is a link between the murder and the attempted arsons.
Persaud clarified that both buildings were being rented by the dead man and were not owned by him as had been previously reported to this newspaper. One of the man’s relatives confirmed this saying that all the buildings Baksh used for his business operations were rented.
According to Persaud, police are still looking for the second suspect in the case.
When Stabroek News visited the building which is used as a bond, it was padlocked. No one was there.
When contacted, the man’s relatives would only that they were informed of the second attempt but did not have any details.
A resident said that when he arrived home he was informed of the incident but on looking at the building he could see no signs of fire damage.
The man recalled that two weeks ago during a blackout in the area, he had an uneasy feeling and decided to make a check around his yard. While doing so he saw the glare of a torch light and later saw a man. He said that he enquired from the man what he was doing there and the man responded that he was the owner of the property. The resident said that several days later he read in the newspaper that the man had been gunned down.
Last Thursday around 2 am, unknown persons attempted to torch, a property in Prashad Nagar that Baksh had rented. Fire was set in about six places outside the building mostly on wooden pallets. Fire fighters responded promptly with two tenders and a tanker after receiving a report of the fire and were able to contain the blaze. There was a small amount of damage to the interior which housed a bond, a showroom and an office.
Baksh also known as Mohammed Shahabudeen Bacchus, was shot multiple times around 10 pm on June 15 as he sat eating and drinking with friends at the grill located at the corner of Quamina and Thomas streets.
Reports are that two armed men walked up to the table where Baksh, 43, of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara was and opened fire. He sustained two gunshot wounds to the head and one to the hand. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) but died the following morning while being prepared for emergency surgery.
From all indications, the perpetrators fled the scene on motorcycles.
A businessman who had a matter with Baksh before the High Court was subsequently detained. The man was released on station bail several days later.
