“Monty” Taken Out in San Pedro Restaurant
Lamont Edward Lipka
An American businessman was murdered in cold blood inside his restaurant in San Pedro Town on Sunday night. Lamont Lipka of Texas, U.S.A was inside his bar and grill on the south end of the island when a man walked inside and fired several shots killing him behind the cash register. Police say they are looking at surveillance cameras in the area to try and crack this murder case, there is no known motive for the homicide. News Five’s Andrea Polanco reports.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
Forty-nine year old American national Lamont Edward Lipka, better known as “Monty”, was shot and killed inside his restaurant in San Pedro Town on Sunday night. Shortly before nine-thirty, a man walked inside Tropicana Bar & Grill on Coconut Drive and fired several shots at Monty. He was hit six times, with injuries to the face, the right side of the neck and the back of the neck – and even after Monty fell to the ground, the gunman stood over him and fired more shots. Those shots sent employees and customers of the restaurant running for cover outside. The lone gun-man made his escape by running through the restaurant exiting through the side door. Police responded and found Monty injured and bleeding.
Alejandro Cowo
ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division
“Upon inspection inside the business place, police observed behind the counter, the motionless body of a male person bleeding profusely with several gunshot wounds to the body. What we have gathered so far is that just about 9:25 he was inside the business establishment behind the cash register when a male person entered and went direct to him and fired several shots at his direction which caused the fatal injuries to him.”
Police say there is no suspect at this time and they have no idea why Monty was killed.
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“Nothing was stolen from him or from the business.”
Duane Moody
“Is it believed, sir, to be drug related; his murder?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“We don’t have a motive up to now. We are interviewing some of his colleagues to see if they have anything that can assist us at this moment. Definitely, from what we have so far, there is nothing that we can tie him to any drug transaction or drug related offence.”
According to residents on the island, Monty relocated from the U.S.A.to San Pedro about three to four years ago. They say that he was a dive instructor and operated sea tours for a while. But it wasn’t until October 2017 that he decided to go into the food business. He leased this property from some Lebanese developers and opened in November of last year. But like police, those who knew Monty are stumped about the reason behind his killing. One resident believes that his murder may be connected to a pending court case about two boats; others say it was a murder for a hire with drug connections – but there is nothing to support those theories and so they remain as just speculations. According to an acquaintance who wished to remain anonymous, Monty was not known to be embroiled in any issue so the killing comes as a shock.
Voice of: Acquaintance
“I nuh know if he have any business with anybody. I only know him to open the restaurant and work in there and that’s it. I am not sure if he had problem with people.”
Andrea Polanco
“When was the last time you saw him and what was was that conversation like?”
Voice of: Acquaintance
“I spoke to him probably like two days ago. I just walked in and said hi. Everything was good.”
Andrea Polanco
“Did it appear as if everything was ok? Did he seem troubled?”
Voice of: Acquaintance
“Not really. I never see him have no problem with nobody. I never know what happen to him actually because I nuh see the man have no problem. I see him go upstairs and downstairs from work.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, when you heard he was killed; what was your reaction? Were you shocked? Surprised?”
Voice of: Acquaintance
“Yeah. When I heard he was killed. I got shocked. I asked why that man is dead. I get surprised too. I never expect it.”
Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.
