A GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal was killed execution-style in front of his Sussex Street, Charlestown residence on Tuesday by gunmen.

Being comforted by a close family, Payne’s mother Evette (only name given) holds her granddaughter close to her heart as she weeps uncontrollably

Dead is Kevon Payne of Lot 36 Sussex Street, Charlestown. The father of two is said to be in his early 20s. According to reports, at about 21:00h on Tuesday, two gunmen opened fire on Payne in the presence of his family, shortly after he had returned home from duty.

When Guyana Chronicle arrived on the scene, scores of residents had swarmed the street as they expressed anger over the shooting. There was also a high police presence, with ranks keeping a close watch on the many spent shells that were scattered all over the scene of the crime.

Payne’s brother, Vellon Thorne, told Guyana Chronicle that he was with his brother at the time of the shooting.

“We were sitting in front of the house, two guys came up on a motorcycle and start shooting at my brother,” he recalled.

According to him, it was not long after a van load of police ranks arrived on the scene.

“The police pull up in a split second and start a shooting too, along with the guys them on the bike,” Thorne alleges. He said he is very familiar with one of the policemen.

One of the spent shells on the scene of the Sussex Street shooting

Meanwhile, Thorne and other residents are alleging that police ranks had aided the gunmen. Thorne, like many of the other family members and residents who were around at the time, managed to escape unharmed.

The enraged young man spoke openly about the shooting, and went into a fit of rage when he raised his head and noticed one of the policemen whom he alleged shot his brother.

“Look the man who killed my brother!” he screamed as he advanced towards the rank. It was not long before the accused rank was surrounded by fuming friends and relatives who cried murder. The rank was escorted off the scene after seeking advice.

Payne’s aunt, Pauline Paris, who wept bitterly on the scene, said she not only witnessed the shooting, but after running to safety, was able to see the licence plate of the vehicle the alleged killers were in.

“When the police started to ring out the heavy bullets, I had to run,” the woman said. Payne’s mother was too distressed to speak to this newspaper.

The Guyana Police Force is, however, maintaining that ranks were in close proximity when they heard gunshots and quickly responded. But there they were met with resistance and the shooters managed to escape.