Wife pleaded for murder victim to stay home

HIS wife pleaded with him not to make the trip to Chaguanas to check on his business place located at the Centre Pointe Mall, Ramsaran Street, on Local Government Elections night because “it was too late.” But Gerard Punch, 36, married to Shasmin one year ago, felt that it was necessary to ensure that his Photocraft and cell phone business place was properly secured, so he made the trip from 187 Main Road, Balmain Village, Couva.

But little did he realise that it would be his last business journey as he was fatally shot by four armed bandits who tried to rob him of his car and cash when he parked his vehicle on the mall’s compound. Punch, son of Eugene Punch, a former Supervisor of Caroni (1975) Limited, and Pamela Punch, ex-Principal of Holy Faith Convent, Couva, had a photo studio at Balmain which he operated for years. He had gone into the rapidly expanding cell phone industry as a distributor for TSTT, with branches in Gulf City, Aboutique Mall (Port-of-Spain) and also at Balmain. His mother said, “Gerard was a very ambitious young man, and I always admired his determination and foresight and his ability to move ahead in the business world.” She said that he had an “eye for opening opportunities as a businessman and there was no stopping him as his motto seemed to have been the sky is the limit.”

According to Senior Supt Philip Carmona, the Chaguanas Police are investigating a report that the four bandits were seen at the car park earlier in the night acting suspiciously, and when Gerard parked his vehicle, he was approached by the men for cash and his vehicle. A scuffle ensued and suddenly a shot rang out hitting him above the stomach. Gerard then attempted to run into his store. When he reached the entrance of his business premises, he collapsed and died on the spot. A security guard attached to Kam Po Restaurant (opposite the Centre Pointe Mall), contacted the Chaguanas Police who immediately arrived on the scene to carry out investigations under Inspector Raphael, and including Sgt Housend and Acting Sgt Ajith Persad. The body was viewed by Dr Teelucksingh, who is attached to the Chaguanas Accident and Emergency Centre, and was removed to the Forensic Department in Port-of-Spain where a post-mortem examination will be performed some time today.