Taxi-driver shot dead in robbery attempt

A 51-YEAR-OLD father of two was shot dead when he resisted attempts by bandits to rob him of his money and car during the early morning hours yesterday. Rufus Raphael of Hosein Street, San Juan, was plying his taxi for hire in Carenage around 3 am when he stopped to picked up a group of men in L’anse Mitan. When the men attempted to rob Raphael, he refused and put up a fight, causing one of the bandits to shoot him in the chest. The bandits then escaped.

A report was made to the Carenage Police Station and officers arrived on the scene along with the DMO who viewed the body and ordered it removed to the Forensic Science Centre for an autopsy which will be done tomorrow. Yesterday, Zina Homan, ex-wife of the deceased told Newsday Raphael was a decent and humble person who lived alone in San Juan and was supposed to have a Father’s Day lunch with his 12-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son. Neighbours of the dead man described him as a “Church goer” who never troubled anyone. Both of his children are traumatised by the murder. Up to late yesterday no arrests had been made and Carenage police are investigating.