The police in `B’ Division yesterday took into custody the businessman who was said to have been involved with Leilawatie Mohamed, also known as ‘Aunty Leila,’ the mother of four who was shot dead in her Tain Settlement, Corentyne home last week.
Commander of `B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, confirmed the arrest of the businessman to Stabroek News yesterday, noting that the police are still trying to locate his wife. The wife is said to be the mastermind of the killing. Amsterdam said investigators are making checks to see whether the woman is attempting to leave the country and to block her from doing so. He also noted that they were not as yet able to identify the gun used in the shooting.
Police on Friday released the barber who was first arrested and then took into custody a tattoo artist, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. The tattoo artist later confessed to involvement in the killing. Based on information provided by the tattoo artist, his accomplice, a Jamaican national, also from Rose Hall Town was arrested on Saturday.
Amsterdam when contacted told Stabroek News that investigators were able to obtain a statement from the tattoo artist. However, after further investigation, the barber was re-arrested on Saturday evening and his wife was also placed into custody.
The businessman, who owns a sawmill located on the East Bank of Berbice, landed on the police’s radar after investigators learnt that he may also have had knowledge of the plan to kill Mohamed.
According to the police’s theory, the businessman’s wife found out about his involvement with Mohamed and retaliated by ordering a `hit’ on her. She allegedly contacted the barber and his wife to find someone to kill Mohamed.
The tattoo artist confirmed this when he told investigators that he was hired by the barber and his wife. After being paid a substantial amount of money, he then made plans with his associate, the Jamaican to launch the attack on Mohamed, a mother of four.
The men then hired a car and proceeded to Mohamed’s house where they kicked down her door and entered. At the time of the invasion, Mohamed’s 20-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son were home. The men placed Mohamed on her knees on the ground and in efforts to make it seem like a robbery demanded cash. When the woman told them she did not have any money, the gunman, who is said to have been the Jamaican national, placed his weapon to her chin and shot her.
On Friday, Stabroek News was at the Whim Police Station, when the barber’s wife was present. The woman told this newspaper that on the night Mohamed was gunned down her husband was at home with her.
Stabroek News was told that the Jamaican is reportedly wanted for murder in his home country, this the commander said is being checked out with Interpol.
Mohamed, also known as ‘Aunty Leila’, 45, a domestic worker of Lot 149, Sixth Street, Tain Settlement, Corentyne is believed to have worked with the businessman and his wife in the past. The woman leaves her two sons and two daughters to mourn.
