Rose Hall teen knifed to death

By David Papannah

The murder of a Rose Hall teenager has left the town in a state of shock.

Ajai Cecil Sookhoo, 18, a father-to-be was found on New Market Street, Rose Hall sometime around 1 am yesterday. The teenager had sustained a stab wound to his throat and had been robbed of a chain along with a hand band.

One person is currently assisting police with investigations.

When Stabroek News visited the home of the deceased, family members were in deep mourning for the expectant father.

Rakesh, called `Short Man’, a cousin, was at the scene when the murder occurred. He said that they were returning home from a party which was held at “Area H” Ground, Rose Hall Town. Whilst going through their street, a man walked up from behind and grabbed Ajai by his chain. The perpetrator then stabbed Sookhoo to the throat.

Ajai Cecil Sookhoo

Rakesh added that before his cousin suffered the stab wound he (Rakesh) urged him to call out to his father for help. Sookhoo ran to save his life but fell into a nearby drain. He was later pulled out by Rakesh. The cousin continued that after he rescued Sookhoo he saw the man and others coming back to snatch the hand band that his cousin was wearing.

Rakesh said that after he saw the men returning he ran and called for Sookhoo’s father.

Sookhoo’s father, Chanderbol Sookhoo, told Stabroek News he was called out by his nephew who said “them boys a beat Ajai”. He rushed to the scene and when he got there he saw his son lying in blood.

The father said he was not aware that his son had suffered a stab wound until he picked him up and saw blood pouring from his neck.  The father added that he tried to get his son to speak but got no response. He said that he rushed back home and collected his car and took his son to the Port Mourant Hospital. When he got to the hospital, he said the gates were closed and no security officer was present.  In the same breath the shocked father said that after he made several calls and no one answered  he decided to go to the New Amsterdam Hospital. When he and the boy’s mother arrived with their son at the hospital he was pronounced dead on arrival, the father, with tears in his eyes, said.

Meanwhile the deceased’s wife said she last spoke to her husband on Saturday night around 7 pm.

The teenager had completed his education at the Lower Corentyne Secondary School in 2011. This newspaper was told that he worked with his father.

The deceased teen leaves to mourn his pregnant wife, father, mother and three sisters along with other family and friends.

Police investigations are continuing.