Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 17, 2015 News
By Michael Jordan
Two young gunmen posing as passengers shot a route 42 bus driver dead in plain sight of several Grove, East Bank Demerara commuters at around 14.00hrs yesterday, before fleeing with their victim’s gold chain.
Beepat Taijram, 28, known as “Biggs,” of Lot 55 Albouys Street, Albouystown, was shot at least three times in the back as he tried to flee from his attackers, who held him at gunpoint on the East Bank Public Road near Campbell Street, Grove Housing scheme.
Eyewitnesses said that one of the gunmen continued to shoot at Taijram, even as the former policeman lay motionless on the roadway, before removing his gold chain.
Eyewitness said that a Guyana Defence Force rank who was in a vehicle shot at the fleeing men, but the killers managed to escape unharmed into Campbell Street, Grove Housing Scheme.
Taijram was rushed to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police retrieved two pairs of sandals and a green camouflage flop-hat that the bandits left at the scene. However, the suspects were still at large up to late yesterday evening.
The slain man’s reputed wife, Romene Ankase, said that her husband habitually wore
expensive pieces of gold jewellery, including his chain, a band and two large gold rings.
Taijram left the Guyana Police Force about two years ago to operate his minibus.
Kaieteur News understands that the gunmen, who one eyewitness estimated to be “not more than 20 years old,” joined Taijram’s bus, BJJ 7673, in Georgetown.
By the time the vehicle reached Campbell Street, Grove, only the conductor, a female passenger and the two robbers remained in the vehicle.
The gunmen reportedly then asked Taijram to stop at Campbell Street. The minibus conductor alleged that it was then that one of the ‘passengers’ pointed a handgun at Taijram’s head and told him to “pass” the chain.
It is alleged that the gunman then shot Taijram, who scrambled out of his seat and began to run north up the public road. Kaieteur News was told that the second gunman, who was already outside the vehicle, gave chase and pumped at least three bullets into the fleeing driver’s back.
Taijram collapsed on the roadway and the gunman reportedly tried to shoot him again, before casually removing his chain.
The brazen robbery was observed by a group of soldiers who had stopped their vehicle nearby. One of the ranks disembarked and shot at Taijram’s attackers, but missed. The robbers then escaped, leaving their footwear and a hat behind.
Some commuters along the East Bank Demerara were caught up in the drama, including a driver who narrowly escaped being shot after a bullet pierced his vehicle.
The still-traumatized man said that he assisted in placing the mortally wounded Taijram in a minibus which took him to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital.
The sound of wailing echoed in the hospital as several of the slain man’s relatives rushed there on learning of the brazen killing.
Romene Ankase, the first to arrive at the hospital, told Kaieteur News that she received a call from someone who was using her husband’s phone.
She said that the caller told her that he had some of her husband’s jewellery and other valuables, but said nothing about his death.
She then received another call from someone else who said that Taijram had been injured in an accident and was at the East Bank Demerara Hospital.
Romene Ankase, who said that she last spoke to her husband around 06.00 hrs yesterday, suggested that a woman, with whom her husband had a relationship, may have orchestrated the attack.
She claimed that the woman had called her some hours prior to her husband’s demise and warned that “you will see what gun happen to your husband.”
However, police do not appear to be pursuing the possible involvement of a third party.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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