Presidential Guard dies after Buxton shooting
Stabroek News
April 14, 2003
An off-duty Presidential Guard working as a conductor died yesterday after he was shot by one of three bandits at Buxton when his minibus stopped to put them off.
Suresh Daniram, 24, of Helena Number One, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara received a single gunshot wound to his abdomen and was rushed to the Georgetown Hospital where he died on arrival. Daniram who is also classified as a police constable was the 21st policeman to be killed since a ferocious crime spree erupted in February last year. He is also the second person to die while doing conductor duties at Buxton.
The first person was Sean Semple of Victoria Village, ECD. Semple along with policeman Walton Brummel were murdered on the night of February 22 at Company Road, Buxton. On that very night, one of the suspected bandits, Biko Edwards was also injured. Edwards in presently a patient at the Georgetown Hospital and according to medical sources is severely incapacitated.
The police in a press release yesterday said that around 2:45 pm the constable was in the minibus which stopped to put off the three men at Middle Street, Buxton. This newspaper was told that the men joined the minibus on its way to the city at Anns Grove.
The minibus plies the 44 route. According to reports the men had told Daniram that they were going to Georgetown, at which time he allowed them into the vehicle which also had a few other passengers. Stabroek News understands that when the minibus got to Golden Grove, two young women who were sitting in the front seat disembarked and two of the three men entered the front seat immediately.
Reports reaching Stabroek News state that after dropping off the young ladies at Golden Grove, the driver kept a steady eye on the men in the front seat, but their appearance and the manner in which they spoke did not alarm him unduly.
When the minibus arrived at Buxton in the vicinity of Company Road, the men in the front seat instructed the driver to stop, which he did. Soon after the vehicle halted the two men whipped out handguns.
Pointing them to the driver’s head they relieved him of two gold bands, two gold rings and a chain.
Simultaneously, Daniram opened the minibus door for the other man to disembark, but as he did the man snatched his gold chain.
According to the police a scuffle ensued between the constable and the man at which time the other man who was robbing the driver shot Daniram.
The constable according to the police managed to re-enter the vehicle and he was taken to the hospital where he died shortly after.
Angry relatives of the slain officer at Mahaica yesterday lamented the situation at Buxton, saying that even with the increased army presence there people continue to lose their lives while passing through the area.
Stabroek News was told by his relatives at Mahaica that Daniram would from time to time assist his best friend who is the owner of the minibus.
The 24-year-old constable was described as a very pleasant person who was also involved in meaningful activities in his community. He leaves to mourn his father and one sister. His mother died a few years ago.
