By Vishnu Bisram in New York
Police believe that a friend fatally shot 35-year-old New York-based Guyanese Ravi Bandhu. Ravi was killed between 4:30 and 5:30 on Sunday morning inside his car (a Chevy Impala) on Guy Brewer Blvd and Linden Blvd in South Jamaica.
Ravi ran a vision design display business building booths for trade expos.
Ravi was the son of well-known Guyanese politician Vishnu Bandhu, leader of the defunct United Republican Party.
Police believe robbery was one motive for the fatal shooting. Ravi was robbed of all of his jewellery and relieved of his wallet.
The alleged shooter, going by the name Rajesh and Dudey and other aliases, is a Guyanese with a long list of criminal record. At the time of the incident, there was a warrant out for his arrest relating to the stabbing of his girlfriend. He previously served time in prison and has been released on parole. His parents told police they have not had contact with him for years and that they have disowned him.
The alleged shooter remains on the run; police are looking for him for questioning. Police visited his parents’ as well as alias addresses and homes of friends and relatives. American border crossings and airports have also been advised to be on the lookout for him.
Rajesh was previously employed by Ravi who attempted to reform him. Rajesh was relieved of his employment with Ravi but they still socialized.
On the evening that he was shot, Ravi took Rajesh and two others to a wake for the wife of a friend. After the wake, they ended up in a bar. Ravi did not drink according to the autopsy report. Ravi’s family said he had stopped drinking years ago.
After visiting a bar, Ravi dropped off one of the passengers and proceeded to drop off the two others. For some unexplained reason, the car stopped at Guy Brewer near a Fire Hydrant with the engine still running. Ravi was shot with a low calibre pistol at the back of his head with the bullet protruding through his mouth. The bullet hit the windshield cracking it and was lodged inside the car.
The shooter exited the car. Another passenger, a female Guyanese, on the front seat had passed out from too much to drink and when she awoke around 7:30 A.M she did not know what really happened. The woman was awakened by passers-by who banged on the glass of the window to have the car moved because it was impeding traffic. The woman said she saw Ravi bleeding through the mouth not yet aware he was shot. An ambulance was summoned and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital where was pronounced dead.
A Hindu funeral service and cremation is planned for this morning.
Ravi is survived by his parents, two sisters, a brother, and two sons.
