Cops reviewing video footage of Prashad Nagar murder

The police are reviewing video footage which captured the fatal attack on electrical engineer Saleem Azeez Abdool, who was shot dead near his Prashad Nagar Home during a robbery on Sunday morning.

Abdool, 23, of Lot 33 Delph Street and also of Columbia, Essequibo, died after three bandits attacked him in front of his home at approximately 4:30am on Sunday, robbed and shot him several times. He later succumbed to his injuries.

A post-mortem examination conducted yesterday found that Abdool died of multiple gunshot wounds to head.

‘A’ Division Commander Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken told Stabroek News yesterday that the police uplifted video footage and are in the process of developing the footage. He noted that it was dark but also mentioned that the attackers appeared to be teenagers.

Meanwhile, relatives who viewed the footage said that from what they saw Saleem might have resisted the bandits, since the footage showed him running. An uncle, who viewed the footage, said that Abdool, who was initially held at gun-point in front of his residence, ran towards a Knight Rider Company bus parked nearby, only to be shot at in the shoulder. He added that his nephew’s hand slammed onto the parked vehicle, where he hid, until his assailants rode up to the vehicle, spotted him and fired several shots at him. The man said Abdool ran a few steps away but collapsed.

A statement from the police stated that Abdool was confronted by the three men who attempted to rob him and during the incident he was shot and later succumbed.

Although neighbours declined comment on the murder, one did express the disgust at not being able to differentiate between “squibs and gunshots.” That neighbour, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said “it is a serious concern” and she called on citizens to desist from using the explosives that are oftentimes mistaken for bullets. She said that the squibs are a problem all year round. Squibs have been on sale recently as both the Diwali celebration and the Christmas season are approaching.

Abdool, who is the only son among five siblings, was described as humble and ambitious. “The last time he (Saleem) visit me, he help me with the cows in the backdam,” his uncle noted. He mentioned a visit when his nephew picked breadfruit and shared to all of his neighbours. “He never said no and was everyone’s friend,” according to the man.

He added that Abdool’s parents are inconsolable and that those who knew him are also in a state of shock at his passing.

“It’s such a tragedy that my friend has passed,” said Khandai Seenanan, a close friend of Abdool for the past five years. He described Abdool as peaceful person who was never in any confrontations. “I can only wonder why this happened to him.

He was a wonderful friend. He keeps in contact. The night before his death he called to say if I forgotten his number because he hasn’t heard from me,” Seenanan added. He further mentioned that that Abdool had plans to further his education. “I hope his killers are caught speedily,” he stated.

Abdool, a former President College student, completed his studies at the University of Guyana in 2013 and had been working with the Edward B. Beharry & Co. Ltd for over six months as an electrical Engineer.

He leaves to mourn his parents, four sisters and his extended family. He will be laid to rest today at Columbia.