Westminster contractor shot dead during home invasion

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

See statement from the Guyana Police Force:

Police are investigating the alleged murder of Jairam Ramkishun, a 69-year-old Construction Worker of Lot 2806 West Minster Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, which occurred at about 01:30 hrs on 2024-07-21 at the said address.

Investigation revealed that Ramkishun resided in a one-flat concrete structure with his wife, Tajwantie Harry Persaud, a 50-year-old housewife, and their two sons, ages 24 and 25.

Ramkishun’s wife related that on the date and time mentioned, she and her husband were asleep in their bedroom when they were awoken by three males dressed in hoodies, one of whom was armed with a firearm.

They then demanded that she hand over cash and jewellery, during which one of the men dealt her several lashes about her head with the gun.

Ramkishun then engaged in a scuffle with the men, during which one of his sons, who was home at the time, came out of his bedroom. Together, they managed to force the suspects out of the house.

During the scuffle, Jonathan received a stab wound to the left side of his rib area. The men exited through the western side door, after which Ramkishun armed himself with a cutlass and pursued the men in the yard.

The wife further stated that she then heard a loud explosion of what sounded like a gunshot, and upon checking, she saw her husband lying motionless on his face in a pool of blood at the front of the yard.

She then contacted a family friend who reported the matter to the police. After checks were made in their home, one iPhone 8 valued at $80,000 and one iPhone 11 (value unknown).

The scene was further processed, and two 9mm live rounds and one 9mm spent shell were recovered from the front of the yard (southern side). A black haversack and two flap hats were also found at the scene.

Several persons were questioned, and certain information was received. The body of the deceased is presently lying at the Ezekiel Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.