Freelance Contributor
A well-known businessman was shot and killed on Friday night while driving home in Freeport, leaving family members and the business community in shock.
Suresh Moonsammy, 40, of Chickland Road, Upper Carapichaima, was found slumped behind the wheel of his Isuzu 1.5-tonne truck following reports of gunfire in the area.
Moonsammy was the owner of Big Wave Auto, which is located at Bamboo No. 3, Valsayn.
Police said at approximately 9.52 pm, loud explosions were heard near DIY Hardware along Mission Road.
Officers of the Central Division Task Force were called in, together with a district medical officer.
Officers found Moonsammy slumped inside his vehicle, which had crashed into the wall of a house in the community. The DMO later declared Moonsammy dead at the scene.
Crime scene investigators found 18 spent 9 mm shells and four deformed bullets at the scene.
Moonsammy’s body was taken to a funeral home for storage before an autopsy scheduled for tomorrow, while his van was towed to the Freeport Police Station.
Investigators suspect robbery might have been the motive for Moonsammy’s murder.
Region III Homicide investigators are continuing enquiries.
When Guardian Media visited his home yesterday, his father-in-law, Haripersad Tookhai, said the family was devastated and baffled over why Moonsammy had been targeted.
Tookhai said Moonsammy’s wife and 15-year-old son were inconsolable.
“We’re not getting any information from the police about what’s going on.”
Commenting on the latest murder, Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce (CCIC) president Deoraj Mahase urged the authorities to do more to protect citizens.
“We understand there are new initiatives being introduced to support the business community and the wider public,” Mahase said.
“But we are asking the authorities to be more vigilant.”
He said the CCIC is seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister of Homeland Security.
Moonsammy’s murder took the toll for the year to 207, compared to 307 for the same period in 2024.
