A long-running feud ended tragically yesterday morning when a 21-year-old miner was fatally shot in front of a nightspot in Bartica and the suspect was detained after his mother turned him into the police hours after.
The dead man has been identified as Antonio Dos Santos called ‘Lil Boy’ of Lot 22 Second Avenue, Bartica.
He was shot twice in his chest and was taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital where he was treated and subsequently referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
He succumbed around 7am at the Bartica Airstrip, whilst waiting to be transported to the city.
Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan confirmed that the suspect, who has been identified as Marlon Jacobs, a 29-year-old carpenter of First Avenue, Bartica is presently in custody.
His mother, Ramlakhan said, turned him into the police at Bartica around 5pm yesterday.
The incident occurred around 2.15 am outside a popular night spot known as “Top Notch Bar”.
Commander of ‘F’ Division Kevin Adonis yesterday informed Stabroek News that the police were about to close the bar, since the curfew had passed, when they heard the sound of gunshots.
He said persons began to scatter and they noticed Dos Santos clutching his abdomen.
Adonis said Antonio was transported to the hospital by the police. On the way, he identified the suspect by name.
Investigations, the police said revealed that Dos Santos was imbibing at the bar when he was approached and shot by the suspect, who hurriedly fled the scene.
`Old feud’
Meanwhile, Adelena Dos Santos, the dead man’s eldest sister, related to Stabroek News that the family believes that the incident stems from a years-old feud which her brother and the suspect had.
Adelena explained that about three years ago, Antonio and the suspect had an argument over a “joint”.
This, she said, led to two separate fights between the duo. In the first, Adelena alleged that her brother was attacked and injured by the suspect.
“This bai (suspect) shoot he (Antonio) because they had a problem like about three years back ova a joint. He (the suspect) beat up meh brother, they seh they done…..they ease off with duh. But we didn’t carry the matter at the station because they did young. At duh age they wasn’t like no adults to say you know two adults fighting and it happen. They did small and I don’t know how come this come about now,” Adelena said.
She further related that she believes that the act was premeditated since about a year ago, Antonio “beat up back” the suspect. “Me ain’t know if they programme fah do this bai something because me bruddah beat he (suspect) up back and like he feel shame….me bruddah beat he up back like a year after because he did bring a cousin fah beat up me bruddah. They did had a fight, two fights,” she added.
The death of Antonio has sent Bartica into a state of shock. Relatives and friends yesterday expressed their grief on social media site, Facebook. Antonio only returned from the interior about a week ago.
Adelena said he operated a shop there and would also work as a miner or porter from time to time.
His body is presently at the Bartica hospital mortuary awaiting an autopsy.
