(Trinidad Guardian) In less than 12 months another Chinese businessman has been killed outside his businessplace in what police and CCTV footage show was clearly a `hit’.
According to the police, around 11 pm Saturday Chong Cao, of Tumpuna Road, La Horquetta, was walking out of his restaurant Zhong Guo Cheng Chinese Restaurant and Bar, located at the same address, when a gunman approached him and shot him.
Cao, 30 was shot three times in the face and collapsed. He was taken to the Arima Health Facility but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The CCTV footage showed a man in a blue long sleeved jersey and three quarter pants approaching the victim’s wagon just as it pulls into the compound. Cao is not seen in the video. The gunman, who was on his phone during his attack, races in as a woman closed the gate to the driveway.
The killer goes to the driver’s side of the vehicle before going to the passenger side. The gunman is seen with his hand raised for a few seconds before he runs away, still on the cellphone.
Police believe the gunman kept on the phone as an assurance to whoever ordered the hit that Cao was either dead or shot. Shortly after the gunman leaves, a woman holding a baby, believed to be Cao’s new born, is seen acting in a frantic manner as the woman who was closing the gate attempts to console her.
Police also reported that prior to the shooting Cao had been followed by a gunman at the establishment. He was informed and returned inside the business after collecting the days sales and securing it. Investigators said despite being warned not to leave the compound he left and was attacked a short distance away.
One police officer said Cao never listen to their advice about his movement. Police described Cao as cool, respectful and a man who goes about his business without any fear, as he had a good relationship with all. When T&T Guardian visited the Cao’s family yesterday relatives were traumatised by the killing of the young businessman.
His 60-year-old mother, his sister Qiv Ling Cao, brother-in-law Zhenua Dong and wife Ping Zhang were all in tears saying why he had to die so young. The couple had one child.
Ping Zhang, with tears flowing, said her husband worked very hard to accomplish his success in business. He will leave his home at 7 am and will not return until 11 pm. “I stay at home with his mother and two-year-old child leaving him to run the business by himself,” she said. She added, “We are in trouble as we owe the bank, his mother’s health has turned for the worst.”
The family is contemplating on closing down the businesses and returning to their homeland in China. The restaurant remained closed yesterday with lit candles and flowers on a table inside the restaurant. This is traditional spiritual custom practised by the Chinese on the death of one of their kind.
Police were seen at the business providing some security for both customers and the relatives of Cao. As word spread about the killing customers began to gathered in small groups and were all seemed to be shocked. Most of them say why kill a nice man?
Chong, whose nickname was Andy, was loved by all his customers and residents of La Horquetta and environs. They said he always donated to charity and worthy causes in the community.
Investigators said they were having difficulties to find a motive for Cao’s killing adding that the language barrier was proving to be an added hurdle in solving the killing. Police said following the post mortem, which will be done today, they may make further headway in the investigation.
The killing has brought the murder toll for the year to 22. Homicide detectives are continuing investigations.
Flashback
On April 7 last year Hi Hong Huang, 35, was fatally shot as he struggled with two bandits during a robbery outside his business, Happiness Supermarket, along the Southern Main Road. CCTV footage revealed he was shot by one of the men as he attempted to wrestle with another to prevent them from escaping with a box containing approximately $500,000. Four people, two men and two women, have been held for the robbery and murder and are now before the courts.
