After leaving city bank... Businessman robbed, shot dead

After leaving city bank… Businessman robbed, shot dead

Apr 28, 2011 News

– Suspect detained, motorcycle seized

By Latoya Giles and Krycel Williams
Gunmen shot a 40-year-old businessman dead around 11:00 hrs yesterday in Crown Dam, Industry, East Coast Demerara shortly after the man left a commercial bank in the city.
Bedi Ramjewan, of Lot 5 Industry Crown Dam, and the owner of Ramjewan Auto Sales and Supplies, was shot in the chest and struck in the head after he was cornered by two men on a motorcycle.
He succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital about one hour after being taken there.
This newspaper was told that Ramjewan was about five minutes from his home when the gunmen struck.
A police official disclosed that detectives have detained a man who they claim has knowledge of the murder. Investigators have reportedly also impounded a motorcycle that they suspect the gunmen used.
The suspect is likely to be placed on an identification parade today.

Dead: Bedi Ramjewan

Ramjewan, who would normally change cheques for persons in his community, had visited a city bank earlier in the day.
However, it is unclear if the businessman had withdrawn any money.
After leaving the bank, Remjewan was heading home in his vehicle PLL 1817, and had reached the junction of Crown Dam and the Railway Embankment when two men on a motorcycle blocked his path.
An eyewitness recalled seeing the two gunmen at the entrance to Crown Dam.
“I see two men in the middle of the ‘road head’ with them motor cycle and even though the car blowing his horn to pass them nah move,” the eyewitness said.
According to the eyewitness, one of the men was armed with a handgun.
“The one with the handgun jumped off the bike and started approaching Ramjewan’s vehicle,” the eyewitness added.
The bandit went to the driver’s side of the vehicle and began hitting Ramjewan in the head with his helmet.
Ramjewan attempted to drive off, but ended up in a nearby trench.
As the vehicle remained stuck, the bandits ran to the vehicle and begin shooting at the businessman.
Unconfirmed reports stated that the bandits managed to grab a black bag from the vehicle before fleeing.
Another eyewitness recalled hearing a gunshot and hurriedly ran to her window to investigate.
According to the woman, she saw Ramjewan’s car in the trench and two men hurriedly leaving the scene.
The woman said she called a nearby police station and reported the incident.
Meanwhile, some residents rushed the wounded businessman to the GPHC, where he eventually succumbed.
One police official said that checks will be made today at the city banks to determine what transaction was done.
“We really can’t determine what he did at the bank….since no one was in the vehicle with him,” one police official said.
Krishandat Manickchand, an uncle of the slain man, yesterday opined that if his nephew was granted his firearm licence he might have been able to defend himself.
According to the uncle, his nephew had applied for his firearm licence but was never granted one.
Manickchand stated that authorities should put better policies in place for businessmen who request gun licences.
“I can’t see how it is so difficult for a businessman to get firearm and bandits getting so many guns to rob the innocent and hard working people.”
Another relative yesterday disclosed that the businessman had recently returned from the US with his family.
This newspaper was told that the family had returned for the Easter Holiday. This newspaper was told that the victim’s wife was still in a state of shock.
Relatives who were gathered at the home described the businessman as a very loving father and husband and hard working individual