Couva business owner shot and killed

Police say shortly after 11 am yesterday, a gunman stormed into Ernie’s Auto Electrical Limited at Camden Road, Couva and shot Ramlogan twice in the upper body.

The gunman, who had a bandana over his face, ran into a car which sped off. Ramlogan died within minutes of arriving at the Couva District Health Facility. But the quick response of Central Division police resulted in a chase which ended when the getaway car crashed on the roadside a short distance away.

Police detained two suspects who up to last evening remained in custody.

Relatives told Newsday that only in January, Ramlogan relocated the 15-year-old business from Isaac Junction (opposite KFC) to Camden Road.

“Ernie doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke,” said his brother Prame Ramlogan. “This is real strange to us. He goes down good with everybody.

My brother does not have enemies. He has never been in the court.” The victim lived with his wife Anisha. Family friend and Couva South MP Rudy Indarsingh said he was appalled and disgusted that a young, hardworking and honest person lost his life at the hands of criminals. The Opposition MP charged that under the government led by Dr Keith Rowley, criminals have become so brazen.

“Once again, he called on National Security Minister Edmund Dillon to resign noting that the “blood of Mr. Ramlogan falls squarely on the hands of the Prime Minister and his Government.” “They (criminals) are no longer operating under the cloak of night and darkness because they are not afraid of the law enforcement authorities who seem incapable of catching the criminals. I am tired of calling for the resignation of the Minister of National Security,” Indarsingh said.

President of the Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Industry and Commerce Liaquat Ali also called for Dillon’s resignation saying criminals are taking over the country and are no longer scared.

“The criminals are winning the war on crime not slow and sure, but very fast and furious.” He said police must find new and innovative ways to fight crime.

Homicide Bureau (Region III) is continuing investigations into the killing.