As the police continue to probe the murder of Bartica resident Perion Nicholas Bobb at Kuribrong in Region Eight on Sunday, two suspects, including the man who is alleged to have shot him, are currently in custody.
A police source told Stabroek News that the men were being questioned up to yesterday afternoon and a search is ongoing for others.
Stabroek News had previously reported that Bobb was killed after he was confronted by the group of men, after reporting to the police that persons were stripping a vehicle.
While the identity of his co-worker, who was reportedly abducted, was initially given as Elon Thomas, the police yesterday identified the abducted man as Emmanuel Jeffrey, 60, a miner of Kuribrong and of Good Hope Village, East Coast Demerara. Jeffrey reportedly told the police during questioning that he managed to escape from his abductors.
Reports had indicated that the murder occurred while Bobb was transporting dredging equipment from Kuribrong trail to Kuribrong Backdam for Jeffrey.
Jeffrey had stated that while he and Bobb were proceeding along the trail, he observed a truck proceeding in the opposite direction at a slow rate.
As a result, he said Bobb stopped his pick-up for the truck to pass.
As the truck was some distance away, Jeffrey told the police he heard two explosions, after which he jumped out of the pick-up and lay face down on the ground.
Bobb was shot once to his stomach. His body was later found slumped over the steering wheel of the pick-up he was driving.
It is suspected that Bobb was shot because he reported that the suspect was stripping another miner’s vehicle for parts. He reported what he had witnessed to both the police and the owner of the vehicle.
Shortly after, Jeffrey noted that he heard a strange voice, which ordered him to jump into the truck.
In fear, he complied and entered the tray of the truck, where he saw about eight men, who ordered him to lay face down.
About 15 minutes into the journey, Jeffrey said he managed to jump off the lorry and made good his escape.
He walked back to the scene, where he discovered that Bobb had died.
Additional information reaching this newspaper revealed that about a month ago, Bobb was allegedly involved in a fracas with a dredge owner by the name of ‘Pak’ and some of his workers, during which ‘Pak’ had allegedly discharged several rounds in his direction.