Orlando community held vigil for Guyanese shooting victim

Dear Editor,
I visited Orlando to show solidarity with the family of the shooting victim Eric Roopnarine, who was brutally murdered two weeks ago. Several dozen friends of Eric held a candle light vigil to remember him and to pay tribute to him on Wednesday, July 17.
Eric was violently robbed and murdered at his home in the quiet section of Poinciana. Several Guyanese turned up for the vigil to pay their regards to the young man who was brutally murdered.
Eric was fatally shot and stabbed in the wee hours of July 4 when his home was invaded by the robbers. He was discovered dead by his mom who had left him alone two hours earlier when she went to the airport to pick up his aunt who was visiting from New York.
Four suspects were arrested for the killing and charged with first degree murder, robbery and other offences.
The suspects were also charged for another killing, 17-year-old David Guerrero, a week before Eric was murdered, as well as a dozen other shooting incidents that drove fear into residents of the area.
The killers emptied 100 bullets in their shooting spree and are alleged to have told police they considered killing people as “fun”. They confessed to the killing of Eric, but have reportedly blamed each other for planning and executing the robbery and murder.
They reportedly told police and friends that they hatched the plot on Tuesday and executed it on Wednesday evening. They will have their second hearing before a judge on July 29.
At the vigil, friends told of their experiences with Eric while going to high school as well as college and socialising after work. They described Eric as a kind, gentle, fun-loving young man who knew how to have a great time.
Several persons related how Eric helped turn around their lives, as well as others they knew from personal difficulties. He helped several people providing them with food and other handouts.
They said he had a soft heart to help others and it may have been his kindness that led to his violent murder.
One friend related how she was on the verge of killing herself when Eric talked her out of it and guided her on the right path of life. Another said Eric assisted her with her college study and purchased books, a book bag and supplies so she could stay in college. “Eric assisted me in school,” she said, “and I was able to go to college.”
Another young lady who considered Eric as her adopted brother said, “He was the kind of person who would spend his last penny to help others.”
And yet another friend said, “Eric was the kind of person a young lady would want as a husband and as a friend. He was so loving and generous.”
The latest on the case is that the county chief prosecutor told reporters on Wednesday evening that he will personally prosecute the charges against the four accused, all of whom reportedly confessed to the killing.
All of the accused are now speaking out against each other. They were picked up as they attempted to purchase ammunition for the powerful gun. Police had put a bulletin to ammunition dealers to be on the lookout for purchasers of bullets and also queried gun dealers on whether they recently sold a gun using the rare bullet.
Police also said they secured the footwear that matched footprints wore by the killers inside the home of Eric when they carried out their brutal acts of murder and robbery.
Police have further said they found Eric’s stolen electronics at the homes of the suspects. Eric’s friends told me one of the items, a flat screen television, was reportedly posted for sale on the Internet by Rios.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram