Up to press time, police were searching for prison escapee Akeem Wong who is the prime suspect in the murders of David Gomes and his mother Nellie Gomes at Saxacalli, Essequibo River on Friday.
Detectives are investigating the murder of David Gomes, a 49-year-old driver of D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, and his 75-year-old mother Nellie Gomes, also of the same address, which occurred between 17:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs on Friday at Saxacalli Mission on the left bank of the Essequibo River.
Investigations also revealed that prison escapee Wong was seen in the area at the location and is allegedly the person who committed the murders.
Crime scene technicians processed and photographed the scene and it was observed that both of the deceased were chopped multiple times about their bodies, with both of them sustaining several chops to their heads.
The police have been told that the suspect went to victims’ house at Saxacalli and asked for something to eat and directions. The suspect was given something to eat and he also imbibed vodka with David Gomes after which he spent some time at the location. He later armed himself with a cutlass and dealt the man several chops about his body. Nellie Gomes went to his rescue and she was also dealt several chops about her body.
The suspect then attempted to wash down the blood but he heard a boat approaching and he ran into some nearby bushes and escaped. Wong is thought to have been wounded by David Gomes in the confrontation.
Wong, who was serving a 15-year sentence for rape, escaped from the Mazaruni prison compound on February 15. This means that he has been on the run for 24 days without the authorities being able to apprehend him.
According to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), the escape occurred at around 7.20 am on February 15th. At the time, Wong along with inmate Gilbert Gill, were working in the fields in the custody of Prison Officer Torres. Wong then requested to defecate which Officer Torres granted him permission to do.
However, after around five minutes had passed, Torres decided to check on Wong and discovered him missing. An alarm was immediately raised.
The GPS had urged the public to exercise caution and vigilance.
“We urge the public to exercise caution and vigilance and report any sightings or information regarding Akeem Wong’s whereabouts to the authorities immediately.
“The safety and security of the public remain our top priorities, and every effort is being made to ensure the swift and safe apprehension of the escaped prisoner.”
In 2020, Wong, 26, of Lot 62 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, was sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the High Court in Georgetown.
Despite a guilty plea, Wong told a probation officer that he was unaware that the victim was 14-years-old and that he was committing a crime. He claimed that she told him she was 16 years old and had consented to the act.
A probation report presented to the judge stated that Wong now understands the law and is regretful that he broke the law. He said that he is now aware that an underage person cannot give consent to have sexual intercourse.
Wong also said that he was sorry for his actions and asked the victim to forgive him since he knows that she is hurting. He claimed that he would have compensated the victim financially if he had the money to do so.
Wong was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Yesterday, George Husbands said his aunty and cousin left on Thursday morning for the Stabroek Market area and then made their way over to Saxacalli where they have land. This was to facilitate the cleaning of the land since they do not visit there often.
He said he has learnt that the escapee asked for directions along with some food. Husbands said he was made to understand that his aunt gave him some food while David offered him some liquor.
“My aunt would not turn away somebody if they ask for food or money or them kind of things if she has she will give you she was a very generous woman she’s always working… at 75 years old she was brisk if this didn’t happen I don’t think she would have passed and probably would have lived well into her 90s”
The trip was to be for the duration of three days for the duo to have the land cleaned and fix amenities.
