Mahaicony man killed after row over taxi fare 

By Farah Bates

An old grievance over taxi fare led to the killing of a 27-year-old man at Perth Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara on Saturday.

Dead is Randy Mohammed, of New Providence, Mahaicony. He tragically lost his life while making a purchase at a milkshake stand in Perth Village, East Coast Demerara just around 07:20hrs Saturday evening.

According to residents, two days ago the young man had a misunderstanding with the suspect Marlon Estriado over the taxi fare in the village. Tejpaul Sewah a coworker of the young man said Randy had a special hire from a young woman who offered to pay him $600 to take her to her destination even though the fare is $200. However, since it was the woman alone travelling and there were no other passengers at that time she begged him (Randy) to take her alone as she was in a rush, thus, offering to pay for the other seats.

The woman’s boyfriend who was at the side of the road at the time indicated to Mohammed that the fare is $200 and he should not take the $600 from the woman. This led to an argument between the two men during which time Mohammed offered to transport the woman free to avoid issues. This offer angered Estriado who allegedly threatened Mohammed as well as proceeded to damage his car. “Me and Randy work together for years and I know this man never had any problems with anybody and was always quiet, the other day when the story happened, he come and tell me but I never expected the man to still hold feelings and attack Randy,” Sewah related.

Mohammed was heading home after a long day’s work Saturday evening when  he stopped to purchase a milkshake and as he was about to leave the stand the suspect Estriado allegedly rushed towards him with a bottle and dealt him a few blows to the side of the neck inflicting severe wounds. The young man then collapsed and was taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where he succumbed whilst receiving treatment. Mohammed was described by his mother, Danwantie Kumar, as a quiet, easy-going and hard-working young man. She is hoping that the police will do a thorough investigation to ensure she has justice for son.

Police in a statement said that an investigation has been launched into the killing. According to police information so far suggests that the victim on Saturday was assaulted with a bottle by another male and as a result fell to the ground bleeding from a wound to his neck.  As a result of his injuries, the victim was picked up and escorted to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, and died about 20:45 hours whilst receiving treatment. The body was then taken to the said hospital mortuary awaiting Post Mortem.