THE gruesome massacre at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara early Saturday morning, which left eleven persons dead, and three seriously wounded, has brought the already closely knit rural community even closer.

Solidarity has intensified, and there is evidence of closer bonding, as neighbours continue to demonstrate an outpouring of love and concern for each other.

When the Chronicle revisited the scene of the massacre yesterday, a pall of grief overhung the neighbourhood. The mood was sombre, and black buntings were visibly displayed on posts lining the streets where the homes of the five affected families are located.
Spanning the width of the roadways in front of the houses, huge canopies were erected, to facilitate the holding of wakes which commenced ever since Saturday night. The response was good and throughout the day, persons moved in and out, offering whatever help they could. But with each visit, there was almost a fresh flood of tears, as survivors of the tragedy relived the horrific encounter.

At each of the five homes, relatives and neighbours embraced each other, as they offered condolences and paid their respects, almost in hushed tones. The gay chatter by which the rural community is usually characterized, was noticeably absent. Persons lamented that it was the first time in the history of the community that such a thing had ever happened, and said they wished it was just a nightmare and not reality.

“How we go ever feel safe here again?” one elderly woman lamented, noting that there will always be that fear that gunmen will strike again. Some are having second thoughts about continuing to live in the neighbourhood, unless they can be assured of heightened security.

Villagers said that when the shootings started early Saturday morning, neighbours phoned a nearby police station, but they were told by those answering the police line, to call other numbers. “We never see the police ‘til about one and a half hour later,” an irate male resident said.

He is also questioning whether the police have tracker dogs, and why did they not use these to track down the killers.

Meanwhile, villagers willingly took responsibility, and each seemed to know just what his responsibility was. There was a steady flow of male heads of households and boys, bringing in food items of various kinds, while the women and young girls came together and began preparations for cooking. And as night sets in, villagers said the volume of the sympathizers would grow considerably.

At the home of the Thomas’ family who lost three family members, with two others yet hospitalized, the Chronicle caught up with businessman H. Bissoon who travelled all the way from Dundee, Mahaicony, to make his contribution to the families to help with the holding of wakes. To each of the five families, Bissoon donated five boxes of Dixee biscuits and a large bottle of instant coffee. Many others are expected to do likewise in the ensuing days.

Post mortem examinations were done on the eleven bodies yesterday, and one person killed in the massacre - Shazam Mohammed 26, is to be buried today. However, the majority of the others will be buried on Thursday. Mohamed was shot in the back, and at the side of his head. His father, Nadir Mohamed, a survivor, was shot in both legs, and is at present a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Also hospitalised at the GPH are 19-year-old Howard Thomas, shot in the right shoulder and lower right arm, and his five-year-old brother Roberto Thomas, shot in the lower abdomen. Yesterday, the patients were all responding favourably to treatment.

But even as the villagers tried to find comfort and solace in each others’ company,

there was that haunting fear of the unknown – what could happen after dark.
As was expected, the residents, coming out of such an experience, have grown even more watchful, carefully scanning strange faces with their eyes, and requesting details of strangers’ visit.

Meanwhile, one man who lost three relatives in the massacre is appealing to the other villagers to be calm. “I do not think that anybody can give us justice at this time. Only God can do this. Let us look to Him,” he implored.