By Carl Croker
Loud wailing emerged this morning from Lot 36 Sussex Street, Charlestown, the house where Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal, Kevon Payne lived as close family and friends try to come to grips with the reality of his brutal demise last evening.
Reports are that the 22-year-old Payne was shot dead execution-style outside his home in Sussex Street around 22:00hrs last night.
Top officials of the GDF visited the home about 11:00 hrs today to offer their collective sympathy and assistance to the grieving family. Among the army officials meeting with Payne’s family today were Gary Beaton, Commander of the GDF Coast Guard; welfare officers and the Force Chaplin Reverend Nicholas Corbin.
The grieving mother, Evett Paris, said she lost a daughter in 2008 under similar circumstances and received no justice. She expressed the view that, this time around, justice must be served against the perpetrators of her son’s demise.
Kevon Payne, a father of two, would have celebrated his 23 birthday on June 17.
Several unconfirmed reports are that a police vehicle with a number of police ranks took the alleged shooter off the scene, who is believed to be a police rank.
As funeral and wake arrangements are being put in place, investigations are being done into the matter.
When INews arrived at the scene last night, a huge crowd had already assembled outside of his home and several arguments erupted over the alleged involvement of the police in the execution style murder.
Family members strongly believe that police officers were the ones who shot the young GDF Officer. However, they were unable to detail exactly what transpired.
Other relatives lined the street, hurling insults towards to police officers who were also on the scene trying to gather information from uncooperative residents.
Another group of bystanders related that Payne was arguing with a man on a CG motorcycle when the incident occurred.
Following are scenes from this morning’s visit by the Army officials who met with Payne’s family.
