A transgender sex worker was shot dead in the wee hours of yesterday morning at Quamina and Carmichael streets where he usually carried out his trade.
He was identified as Noel Wilson Luthers called Nephi, 20, of Lot ZZ D’Urban Street, Wortmanville.
The police, in a press release, said that around 02:35 hrs yesterday, Luthers was confronted by two men at Quamina and Carmichael streets during which one of them shot him to the chest and they escaped. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
When Stabroek News visited Luther’s home yesterday some relatives, along with his mother, had just returned from the police. They said they are eager to find out who shot him but were only told that investigations are ongoing. However, they are hoping the killer faces the full force of the law. Friends of the well-known young man were also visiting as they received the shocking news to express their sympathy.
Joy Noel, Luther’s mother, expressed her shock at the death of her son. The woman said she received a call around 4 am yesterday from someone who informed her that Luthers had been shot. She immediately rushed to the hospital. However, when she arrived she was told that his body had already been taken to the mortuary. Up to midday yesterday she had not yet been able to view her son’s body as she was awaiting a call from the police station as to when a rank would be available to accompany her to the hospital mortuary to identify Luthers’ remains.
The distraught mother related to this newspaper that she last saw him alive on Tuesday evening when he left home. She explained that she was made to understand that Luthers was on Carmichael Street, where he is known for carrying out his trade. Based on the information she received, he and a man were involved in a transaction after which an argument ensued between the two and the man took out a firearm and shot him.
Reports indicated that the circumstances surrounding the argument are that the man who Luthers had the transaction with demanded that his money be returned to him as he wasn’t pleased. But Luthers refused and was shot during the argument; family members were unable to confirm this.
Stabroek News understands that other sex workers who were in the vicinity at the time rushed to the scene upon hearing the gunshot but the attacker managed to escape in a CRV motor vehicle.
However, when contacted, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum informed this newspaper that the police are proceeding with two suspects who were identified in surveillance footage that was provided to the police. He also said that there are three eyewitnesses and investigations are ongoing.
Last year, around this time, two transgender sex workers were killed by a man who later took his own life. There are also other cases in which relatives are still seeking justice. Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Joel Simpson, Founder and Managing Director of the Society against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), said he believes sex workers have rights like any other person and they should be protected. He said he hoped that with the appointment of the new crime chief and the zeal he has brought in addressing some of the most recent murders, these matters will be given due attention and justice will be served. In this case, Simpson added, SASOD is working with Guyana Trans United to ensure that the other sex workers who witnessed the incident will come forward and provide the police with any clues that they possibly can so that the matter can be properly investigated and charges made.
