Two men were Thursday charged for the robbery and murder of Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff and Donvan Washington, which occurred on March 03 at Arimu, Backdam, Cuyuni River
Travis Fredericks, 32, and Fernando Fredericks, 28, both miners from Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
The men were charged with the offense of being an accessory after the fact to the murder of 50-year-old Sheriff, a gold miner of Byderabo Roauyd, Bartica and 26-year-old Washington, a Porter from Lot 11 Seventh Avenue, Bartica.
They were not required to enter a plea. They were remanded to prison until April 25, 2024 when the matter will be heard again.
The News Room understands that the incident occurred at around 10:00 hrs after Sheriff, who owns a land dredge operation at the Backdam left the mine with about 102 ounces of raw gold. He was en route to Bartica, with Washington.
Joel Stephen, 39, who is the General Manager of Sheriff’s operation, alleged that about five minutes after the men left the camp, several loud explosions which sounded like gunshots, were heard.
Stephen said he went to make checks in the area and about 500 metres away from the camp, he found both men lying in the trail with gunshot injuries about their bodies.
Both of Sheriff’s firearms- a .32 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun- and the gold were missing. Stephen then made a report to the Bartica Police Station.
Sheriff’s body was later examined and several wounds were seen on his upper right chest, his upper right thigh, his upper right arm and his left upper back.
Washington’s body was examined and wounds were seen on his lower abdomen, left chest, left shoulder, left elbow, right thigh, left thigh, and his back.
The scene was processed and one .32 magazine with eight live matching rounds, seven 9MM spent shells, and three .32 spent shells were found.
