Cops release trio held over murder of Rose Hall man

The three persons who were arrested in connection with the shooting of Berbice resident Caitanya Kishundyal were all released from police custody, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said.

Blanhum told Stabroek News that the men were released since the 72 hours’ detention period expired. He said investigations into the matter continue.

Twenty-one-year-old Kishundyal of Lot 28 First Street, Swamp Section, Rose Hall, Berbice died on Friday evening in the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) some two days after he was shot to the abdomen with pellets by a lone gunman who attacked him as he entered his premises.

 Caitanya Kishundyal
Caitanya Kishundyal

The police in a statement issued had said that the attack occurred around 22:00 hrs last Wednesday while Kishundyal was closing the gate. The statement added that he was confronted by a man with a firearm during which a scuffle ensued and he was shot to his abdomen.

The dead man’s sister-in-law Aruna Kishundyal had told this newspaper that he had left home on Wednesday evening to attend a religious function at the Skeldon Hare Krishna Temple, where he was an active member. She said the young man had just arrived home when tragedy struck.

Aruna had explained that Caitanya had entered the yard and parked his motor vehicle. He was approached by a man as he exited the vehicle to close the gate. The man placed a gun to his abdomen and Caitanya tried to push him off and was shot.

Home invasion was suspected to be the motive since three other men were seen hiding behind a fence.

The four men escaped and Caitanya, despite being shot tried to follow them, before calling for his mother and collapsing. He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital and transferred to the GPH the following day where he eventually succumbed.

A post-mortem examination conducted yesterday revealed that he died from shock and haemorrhage due to gunshot wounds.