Taxi service owner shot dead

Nov 28, 2008 News

– while drinking with ex-cop

Mystery surrounds the circumstances under which 35-year-old Doulatram Singh, called “Dara” of Waterloo, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, met his death yesterday.

The father of four reportedly shot himself in the head around 14:00hrs while drinking with a friend, a retired policeman, at a Chinese restaurant close to his home.

Police said that a .38 revolver, which appeared to be unlicensed, was found next to the body. Kaieteur News understands that only one round was in the weapon, while five other rounds were in one of the dead man’s pockets.

However, according to relatives, Singh was not a licensed firearm holder and did not own a firearm. Neeta Persaud, a driver with the “Timeless Taxi Service” which Singh owned, said that she last saw her boss around midday yesterday when he came to the base to have lunch.

She related that he seemed to be in a great mood and even made plans for later that afternoon with some of the employees.

“He lef and say he going and drink a few beers with a friend at the Chinese shop down and road…A li’l while later I call he phone and the girl that does wuk in the shop answer and tell me that ‘Dara’ dead.”

Persaud said that on hurrying to the restaurant she witnessed Singh slumped in a chair with a single gunshot wound to the right side of his head.

Kaieteur News understands that the friend who was with Singh at the restaurant told police that he (Singh) seized the opportunity to kill himself when the friend went to use the washroom.

The man reportedly related that all he heard was a loud ‘bang’ and on returning from the restroom found his friend dead. He too claimed that Singh did not own a gun and he had no idea that he had a weapon on his person during their ‘hang out’ yesterday.

He said Singh gave no indication of his desire to end his life, or that nothing was amiss during previous conversations leading up to the incident.

However, an employee of the Chinese restaurant told this newspaper that she saw Singh handling a gun shortly before the incident.

“Dara was playing with a gun and I turn and went in de kitchen and all I hear is ‘blam’ and when I run in front I see he dead.”

His wife, Christine Singh, was most surprised at her husband’s death. She said that at lunch time her husband picked his sons up from school and left the home and a while later called to say he was at a restaurant. “He ask me fuh send me son to the restaurant fuh collect dog food and even mek joke wid me on the phone.

He son did just come back home when we get the message that he dead…This is the most confusing thing that ever happen…Me husband and me ain’t had no problem he was a young, happy man, wid a good job and a good life…Why would he kill heself?” Mrs. Singh questioned.

This newspaper was told that initial tests carried out by policemen reveal that gunpowder residue was found on the dead man’s hand.

The retired police officer who was with Singh at the time of the incident has been detained to assist police as their investigations continue.

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