The 15-year-old suspect who was arrested on Friday, has admitted to killing Hemant Persaud, the brother of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud during a scuffle over a gold chain two weeks ago, according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.
Blanhum told Stabroek News yesterday that the teenager, who was arrested on Friday morning at his Sophia home, has provided the police with a detailed confession in the presence of one of his parents.
The teenager, who was charged previously with attempted murder, was placed on an identification parade hours after his arrest, during which he was positively identified.
Based on information received by this newspaper, the 15-year-old boy reportedly told investigators that on the night of incident, February 19, he was sitting with a friend who is a cigarette vendor at the Stabroek Market and the friend eventually fell asleep.
The suspect said he saw Persaud, who was wearing a gold chain, approach another vendor. He told investigators, that after making a purchase, Persaud walked towards the toilet area of the market and he followed him.
Once there, the suspect said, he grabbed Persaud’s chain and a scuffle ensued during which Persaud overpowered him by cuffing him. As a result, the teenager said he whipped out a knife and stabbed Persaud after which he fled to the Sophia bus park where he boarded a minibus.
Persaud, called “Bim,” 51, of Affiance Village, Essequibo Coast, was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His identification came 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 18, one day prior to his death. Following his disappearance, family members had conducted several fruitless searches.
This newspaper was previously 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 attempt to rob him.
Additional information indicated that Persaud was spotted by the suspect pulling out a large quantity of money and that was the reason he was set upon.
