Two freed of 2017 Freeman St. murder

Two men were Monday found not guilty by a 12-member jury for the 2017 murder of 58-year-old businessman Fazal Shaheed, who was shot during an armed robbery at Freeman Street, East La Penitence.

Shawn DaSantos and Stephen Howard, both former residents of Freeman Street, were on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court.

After two hours of deliberation by the jury, the men were found not guilty of murdering Shaheed during the course or furtherance of a robbery on September 24, 2017.

The State was represented by prosecutor Cicelia Corbin, while the men were represented by attorneys Nigel Hughes and Konyo Sandiford.

Fazal Shaheed, a father of one, was shot approximately three times to his abdomen and once in the region of his lungs.

His brothers, Abdul Talim Shaheed and Shalim Shaheed were also injured during the attack at their Lot 194 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown home.

At the time of the incident, the family was preparing for a memorial service in observance of their father’s one-year death anniversary.

According to the family, Talim of Toronto, Canada, was shot once and Shalim of the United States was shot approximately three times.

Fazal resided at Albion, Corentyne, and was self-employed.