Third suspect being sought over cockfight murders

-post-mortem confirms multiple wounds on one victim

As the investigation into the murders of University of Guyana (UG) student Azrudeen Hussain and poultry vendor Desmond Singh on New Year’s Day continues, the police are pursuing a third suspect.

This is according to a source close to the investigations who told Stabroek News that investigators were up to last evening trying to locate the suspect. Two other men who were picked up in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown on Monday morning remain in custody.

Hussain, 24, a cattle farmer and finalyear pharmacy student at UG, who resided at Baiabu, Mahaica Creek and Singh, called “David” and “Fix Up”, 34, of Lot A-1 Orange Walk, Bourda, died on Sunday evening after they were shot shortly after leaving a cockfighting match at Humphrey’s Street, Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Singh, who was shot about 15 times about his body died on the spot, while Hussain who was shot once in his neck succumbed shortly after he was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Investigators are still trying to determine the motive behind the attack. However, it is suspected that it was a `hit’ since no valuables were taken from the dead men. Singh is believed to have been the target.

The Guyana Police Force, in a press release, had said that Singh and Hussain were talking with each other when two gunmen, whose faces were concealed with kerchiefs, approached them and opened fire.

Stabroek News understands that the dead men, who were friends, had just left a venue located close to the Friendship Secondary School where the cockfight was held.

Post-mortem examinations performed yesterday confirmed that Singh died as a result of multiple gunshot injuries. Hussain’s cause of death was given as a single gunshot wound he sustained to his neck. Their remains were yesterday handed over to their families for burial.

Singh’s sister, who asked not to be named, had recalled last seeing him around 3 pm when he left home to attend the cockfighting, which, according to her, was customary.

Hussain’s father, Azad Hussain had said that from all indications the incident appeared to be a hit on Singh during which a bullet accidentally struck Azrudeen.

The man said that based on what he was told, the fight had just finished and Azrudeen was about to leave for home when Singh stopped him and they started a discussion. “It got to be a hit on the other guy…because it had five other persons in Azrudeen vehicle including his brother and nephew when the shooting happen and nobody ain’t do them nothing,” Azad said.