A 15-year-old boy was yesterday arrested for killing Hemant Persaud, the brother of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who was stabbed to death almost two weeks ago at the Stabroek Market.
Hours after his arrest, the teen was yesterday afternoon positively identifed during an identification parade that was conducted by the police, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said.
According to Blanhum, acting on information received, the police arrested the 15-year-old suspect yesterday morning at his Sophia home. He noted that the suspect, who was previously charged with attempted murder, was yesterday afternoon placed on an ID parade, during which he was positively identified by an eyewitness.
Persaud, called “Bim,” 51, of Affiance Village, Essequibo Coast, was stabbed to death during a scuffle on February 19th.
He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he was later positively identified. He was identified hours after the police published his photo as it sought the public’s assistance in identifying his remains.
The now dead man was reported missing on February 18th, one day prior to his death. Following his disappearance, family members had conducted several fruitless searches.
Stabroek News was told that Persaud and another man were at the Stabroek Market making a purchase when the suspect attacked him in what appeared to be an attempted robbery.
Stabroek News was told that Persaud was spotted by the suspect pulling out a large quantity of money and as a result he was set upon. Persaud attempted to defend himself and during the ensuing scuffle he was stabbed once in the abdomen.
He then collapsed, after which persons in the area called an ambulance and alerted the police. The suspect managed to make good his escape, while Persaud was taken to the GPH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
