His wife, Zaleen, told Stabroek News yesterday that when she questioned him about his sudden change in behaviour, he told her that some of his customers have refused to pay him and owed huge sums of money.
Police on the East Coast are still hunting the lone gunman who carried out the carefully planned killing, which occurred more than an hour after he left his home. At their Lot 73 Mon Repos Pasture home yesterday, Zaleen lay weeping on a bed in the yard and was surrounded by friends and relatives. Between sobs, the woman said that she was clueless to the possible identity of the killer or the reason behind her husband’s death. She said that at no time did Sonilall, also called ‘Moti’ and ‘Salt fish man,’ tell her of any threats to his life or any problems he may have had with anyone.
She recalled that last Thursday, he went on a trip to Lethem. She said when he returned, “he nah deh nice. He deh moody all de time.” Later, she questioned him and he told her about the “plenty money” that was owed to him by people he sold salted fish to. A relative had told Stabroek News that someone owed Sonilall in the vicinity of $8M but Zaleen when questioned about this said her husband did not give an amount. He had just said that “plenty” was owed to him.
The grieving woman said that on Thursday he went on “ship” and he later exported some of his product. He returned home but before leaving his cellular phone was ringing and Zaleen questioned him about the caller. According to her, he said that it was a teenager who worked with him who wanted him to buy some ice cream. The teen, who has a broken leg, had called with the same request the previous night. The teen, the woman said, was in the habit of calling her husband so she did not see his request as strange. She added that it was a norm for her husband to check his work site located at the end of the street and that is where he went after he left home.
Sonilall has been operating his salt fish business since 1984.
The man’s mother, Rookmin Sonilall, also spoke of her son’s strange behaviour. She recalled that on Thursday morning, the workers came too late and her son spoke to them harshly. This she said was abnormal.
Several detectives were in the area conducting investigations when this newspaper visited.
According to reports, the gunman pumped four bullets into Sonilall as he sat alone under a shed near his business place. He was reportedly shot twice to the head, once to the throat and another bullet pierced his stomach. Around $200, 000 in cash, jewellery and a cellular phone that he had in his possession were intact when his body was found slumped next to the bench where he was seated.
The assailant was said to be cloaked in a coat and had his face covered. After shooting Sonilall, the gunman walked towards the Railway Line and boarded a car that was waiting for him.
Police later recovered two spent shells from the scene.
Relatives told this newspaper that the only problem with the law that he had was a gun possession matter which was before the court. They had opined that it was someone who was unwilling to pay off his debt that carried out the killing.
Police last evening stated that on May 29, 2009, Sonilall was charged with possession of a firearm without licence after a 12-gauge shotgun was found at his home by the lawmen. He was on $300,000.00 cash bail in the matter which was continuing before the court at Sparendaam.
A post mortem will be conducted on Sonilall on Monday and plans are being made to cremate him on Wednesday. Sonilall was a father of five.
