One day after a wanted bulletin was issued for him in relation to the murder of La Penitence resident Deon Charles, nineteen-year-old Ezekiel Hawker was on Wednesday arrested in neighbouring Suriname and the police say that he has since confessed to the crime.
In a statement issued yesterday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that local police contacted their counterparts in Suriname after they learnt that Hawker had been held in the jurisdiction.
As a result of the collaborative efforts, Blanhum said officials in Suriname handed over Hawker to local police.
Hawker called ‘Alpha’, a shopkeeper of 246 Forshaw Street, Queenstown, Georgetown is presently in police custody. He was questioned and admitted to committing the crime, Blanhum said.
During questioning, Blanhum said that Hawker told investigators that he fatally shot Charles, who he claimed had previously shot him on two occasions.
Also in police custody is the driver of the motor car which transported Hawker to and from the scene. He is said to also be cooperating with investigators. The police are also pursuing a second suspect who is believed to have been involved in the murder.
Once the investigation has been completed, Blanhum said the case file will be sent for legal advice on the way forward.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday issued a wanted bulletin for Hawker. In the bulletin, the police said Hawker was wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of Charles which occurred on December 24th.
Charles, 28, of Lot 42 Middle Road, La Penitence, was standing on the southern side of James Street, Albouystown on Christmas Eve night when a white Axio with an unknown registration number came from an eastern direction and stopped in front of him.
At this point, two males exited the back seat of the car and one who was identifiable approached Charles. Seconds after, persons heard a loud explosion suspected to be that of a gunshot.
Immediately after, Charles fell to the ground, the police said, and the men immediately jumped into the car they arrived in and escaped.
Charles was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was examined by a doctor who pronounced him dead on arrival.
His body was examined and a gunshot wound was seen on the left side of the head.
In the statement, Blanhum said as of recent, suspects in high profile crimes have opted to flee the jurisdiction with the belief that they will successfully evade justice. “Rest assured that the GPF intends to relentlessly pursue any suspect who adopts this course of action,” he warned.
The force thanked its law enforcement counterparts in Suriname who, they said over the years, have offered “vital” support in apprehending suspects who have fled there by “promptly” handing them over for the investigations to proceed.
