Pandit among three murdered in Trinidad

Keisha Blackman

(Trinidad Guardian) Police are investigating three murders, among them a Hindu pandit and a woman, which occurred from Saturday night into yesterday.

 

In the latest incident, 64-year-old Pandit Ramesh Maharaj was killed yesterday evening in Sou Sou Lands, Guaico, Sangre Grande.

 

According to initial reports, Maharaj and his wife returned to their Cunaripo Home around 5.30 pm, parked their vehicle and entered their house.

 

While they were in the living room, two men armed with cutlasses entered via the back door and announced a hold up. They began to chop the spiritual leader about his body and proceeded to rob his wife, who was unharmed, of cash and jewelry.

 

The men then ran out the house and escaped in nearby bushes.

 

Maharaj’s wife called out to neighbours for help. The police were informed and officers from Sangre Grande CID and Task Force responded. However, Maharaj was already dead when officers entered the house.

 

District Medical Officer Dr Abel viewed the body and ordered its removal to the Sangre Grande Hospital mortuary pending a post mortem.

 

In the other incident, 47-year-old Keisha Blackman was stabbed to death by another woman in Carenage.

 

According to police reports, around 4 am yesterday, Blackman, of Upper Abbe Poujade Street, Carenage, was proceeding north along Haig Street when she noticed her boyfriend with another woman.

 

There was a confrontation and it is alleged that the woman drew a knife and stabbed Blackman several times in her chest area before escaping.

 

Blackman was taken to the St James Medical Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

 

The suspect later surrendered at the West End police station.

 

Investigations are continuing.

 

And in the final incident, one man was shot dead and three others were in critical condition at hospital last evening, after suffering gunshot injuries during an attack in Santa Cruz.

 

According to reports, at 5.15 pm police responded to reports of gunfire opposite a popular bar in Cantaro Village.

 

Up to press time, the victim’s identity and details surrounding the shooting remained unclear.