Killed for $140

Mahindra “Pa” Moonsammy, 25, of Petit Caf? Road was stabbed twice in the chest and back on Sunday afternoon by a 20-year-old man, the victim’s family said.

Moonsammy, the killer and several other young men were liming at a car wash situated just across the road from the victim’s home. Although none of the men worked at the car wash, residents said this was the usual liming spot for the men who sometimes in the past, quarrelled among themselves at the carwash.

Police said that at about 5 pm, a verbal disagreement escalated when Moonsammy approached his debtor to have the $140 repaid.

For his queries and the argument that ensued, Moonsammy was stabbed twice in the chest and as he turned to run, was stabbed twice in the back. He walked to his nearby house, blood soaking his vest while the attacker ran off.

Moonsammy was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.

“Boy, Pa was my real bredren from long time,” said the owner of the car wash, where the stabbing occurred.

He asked to remain anonymous out of fear for his life since the 20-year-old attacker remained at large.

“The last thing I know, Pa went to make punch for us. He brought the punch for us to drink and I left for a little bit. When I came back, is all this madness I hear take place.

I couldn’t believe it. I can’t believe he died for just $140. That is small money.” Neighbours said the suspect was new to the area, having only lived there for about three months in an apartment paid for by his grandmother.

“We don’t know him very well,” said a neighbour.

“But he is a little troubled because his mother is bed-ridden and I think he got a call the other day that his sister was going mad.” Moonsammy’s family was in deep shock yesterday, struggling to come to terms with his murder.

“I don’t even know how to feel as yet,” said sister Saraswatee Moonsammy. “That is something you never expect would happen.

He was a very respectable boy.” Investigations are being led by Constable Rahim of the Homicide Investigations Bureau (Region III) alongside Sgt Elvin and Constable Noyan.