Quan Sheng Li, the 76-year-old Chinese national, who is accused of brutally murdering six-year-old Zi Feng Cao at Parika, East Bank Essequibo on Wednesday has reportedly told investigators that he committed the act over a money dispute with the boy’s parents.
Quan went to the parents’ restaurant to collect money which he claims he invested in the business. The incident occurred at approximately 15:20 hours on Wednesday, shortly after Zi had returned home from school. The family restaurant is situated in the lower flat of their Johnson Street, Parika, EBE house.
According to information gathered by the News Room, a 32-year-old female cook employed at the restaurant told police that she was sitting outside when she observed the suspect arriving with a bag on his shoulder and approaching Zi’s father.
The woman reportedly said that the suspect and Zi’s father were engaged in conversation when the young boy returned home from school.
She reportedly told investigators that Zi walked through the gate, approached the suspect and hugged Quan. Shortly afterwards, the child fell to the ground.
Quan then allegedly fled the yard carrying a silver-bladed chopper and was later arrested. He was questioned in the presence of a translator and he reportedly provided detectives with details about what transpired.
During questioning, Quan also claimed that he had previously visited the restaurant and was assaulted by Zi’s mother when he tried to get his money back.
According to the suspect’s reported account, the confrontation escalated and he felt “cornered” and believed he had no way out.
He reportedly told investigators that he asked the couple to give him his money so that he could return home to China but claimed that they continued chasing him out of the yard.
Quan allegedly took police to the location where he said he had discarded the weapon. A search was conducted and the weapon was recovered.
Police have reviewed and extracted CCTV footage from the scene as investigations continue.
Zi attended the Hydronie Nursery School. In a Facebook post, he was described as a someone with a “kind heart and gentle spirit.”
