Maxi driver shot dead in front of wife

A Valencia mother of five looked on in horror Friday night as a gun-toting bandit shot her maxi-taxi husband in the head at Tacarigua. The killer and his accomplice then fled the scene empty-handed. Winston Monderoy, 56, was rushed to the Arima Health Facility and later transferred to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he died around 10.30 pm. His murder is the 158th for the year. Reports revealed that around 7.50 pm, Monderoy was plying his maxi-taxi for hire along the Priority Bus Route with his wife Sherilann Shaffie as the conductor, when they picked up two men at Cane Farm Junction, Tacarigua.

After travelling a short distance, one of the men told him “pass the money.” Monderoy refused and was shot once in the head. The killers then fled the scene by running west along Bon Air Gardens. A hysterical Shaffie managed to alert passersby and the bleeding Monderoy was rushed to the Arima Health Facility. His condition worsened and he was transferred to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. A party of homicide officers led by Ag Inspector Johnny Abraham and including Cpl Sheila Francis went to the scene of the shooting and carried out inquiries.

At Valencia yesterday, relatives of the dead man described him as a devoted husband and a very good father to his eight children. They added that he had plans to re-build his home and was extremely close to his youngest son Zak, four. Zak cried most of yesterday when told that his father had died. He kept looking at the roadway hoping to see his father pull up in his maxi and take him for a short ride as he is accustomed doing. The death of Monderoy was a shock to his neighbours and friends. Police investigators told Sunday Newsday they are working along certain lines in the investigation and arrests were imminent.