A 76-year-old man was yesterday remanded to prison after appearing in court and being formally charged with the murder of six-year-old Zi Feng Cao, whose death followed an alleged dispute involving the child’s parents.
Quan Sheng Li appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, where the indictable murder charge was read to him. He was not required to enter a plea and was remanded until November 5, 2026. The prosecution indicated that the post-mortem report and additional witness statements remain outstanding.
The charge arises from the October 1 killing of Cao at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, where his parents operate a Chinese restaurant.
Police investigations have so far focused on an alleged financial dispute between Li and the child’s parents. According to reports, Li had gone to the family’s restaurant seeking money he claimed to have invested in the business.
The situation allegedly escalated while Li was speaking with the child’s father. Investigators were told that Cao had just returned from school when he entered the premises and approached Li.
A restaurant employee reportedly told police that the child hugged Li before collapsing moments later with a serious wound to his neck. The boy was taken to De Kinderen Regional Hospital but was pronounced dead.
Li allegedly fled the scene carrying a bladed weapon but was subsequently arrested by police. During questioning, reportedly conducted with the assistance of a translator, he allegedly gave investigators an account of the confrontation and claimed that he had felt “cornered” during the dispute with the child’s parents.
Police later recovered a chopper after Li allegedly led investigators to the location where he had discarded it. Investigators have also obtained and reviewed CCTV footage from the area as they continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The circumstances surrounding Cao’s death have generated widespread shock, particularly because reports indicate that the child had just returned from school when the fatal incident occurred.
Cao was a student at Hydronie Nursery School and was remembered by those who knew him as a child with a gentle disposition. The Ministry of Education also expressed condolences following his death. A candlelight walk was held in his memory on October 2.
The case now moves into the judicial process as police continue completing the evidence required for the prosecution. Li remains in custody pending his next court appearance on November 5.
The allegations against him have not been tested at trial, and he remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
