One of the key groups representing this country’s route taxi and mini-bus owners and operators plans to seek an urgent meeting with law enforcement officials about the safety of the operators following last night’s fatal shooting of a ZR driver outside his home in what is suspected to have been a robbery attempt. This is Barbados’ 34th homicide for the year.
The police say 54-year-old Ralston Agard of Sandy Hill, St. Phillip had parked the ZR vehicle outside his residence about 11 45 pm when a gunshot was heard.
He called for assistance and a family member came to his aid. The police and ambulance service were summoned but when they arrived at the scene the victim showed no signs of life and he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Interim Chairman of the Association of Public Transport Operators, Kenneth Best, an attorney at law who is a former member of parliament and an ex-policeman, says a series of attacks targeting public service vehicle operators has created a deep sense of fear in the sector.
Meantime, the victim’s aunt Onelle Clarke, describes the deceased, a father of four, as a quiet man from a close-knit family who had lived at another residence but had moved back in with his ailing 90-year-old mother so he could help take care of her.
She outlined the circumstances of the fatal attack.
This morning at the Constitution River Terminal, from where the deceased operated, colleagues and friends were deeply saddened by the death of a man they describe as a cool and compassionate person.
