Backatoo Shopkeeper, 71, shot dead by bandits

A major section of the East Coast Demerara village of Plaisance is mourning the slaying of popular shopkeeper Derrick Cox who was shot dead by bandits on Saturday night.
The 71-year-old businessman, who operates a grocery on 71 Ramos Street, Plaisance, was shot in the chest and died before he could receive medical attention.

Cox, who is popularly called “Backatoo,” was alone in his shop when he was attacked and from all indications put up a fierce fight with his killers before he was shot.
“He started hollering for ‘Thief! Thief! Murder! Murder!’” a relative who lives in the same yard told this newspaper.
There was evidence that the killers hurriedly escaped, as several currency notes were scattered on the floor of Cox’s shop.