Parents deem son’s death unintentional
HE has lost his only son, but Jaigobin Rampersaud yesterday said he did not believe his beloved son’s unfortunate death was intentional.

Close to tears, the elder Rampersaud told the Guyana Chronicle that the relative involved in the unfortunate incident was close to the family. His gun accidentally went off twice on Sunday night, killing 23-year-old Premaul ‘Romel’ Rampersaud of Lot 62 Agriculture Road, Triumph, East Coast Demerara.

Rampersaud said: “I do not feel he would do something like that on purpose, because he is very close to this family, and it is unfortunate that my son died.”

Wendella Rampersaud, sitting near her husband, yesterday told this newspaper that the incident is very painful for her and the family, and it is difficult to come to terms with what had happened, because she has lost her son. Nevertheless, she believes that the shooting was not a wilful act.

Family members of the implicated cousin have since visited to grieve with the Rampersauds, and they have been in constant contact since the shooting.

Mrs. Rampersaud yesterday said that her son left home at around 21:00 hrs on Sunday, saying he was attending a wedding to which he was invited. He was accompanied by his brother-in-law.

From what they had been told, the Rampersauds said their son was returning home when his cousin’s gun accidentally went off twice, both bullets passing through the front seat of the vehicle they were in and killing their son in the process.

Premaul, a field foreman at GuySuCo’s La Bonne Intention (LBI) Estate, was the front seat passenger of the vehicle when the incident occurred.
The cousin in question used to reside next door to the Rampersauds, but moved to the new housing scheme a short distance away. The relationship between both families has always been good. Despite this incident, the families say, relations will remain good.

Premaul ‘Romel’ Rampersaud was described as a caring, intelligent, friendly and loving person, who was a true son to the end.

He was unmarried, and is survived by a sister, his parents and scores of relatives.

Rampersaud is expected to be buried according to Hindu rites next week Tuesday.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident. They discovered that at about 23:15 hrs on Sunday, November 13, 2011, Rampersaud and other persons, including a licensed firearm holder, were in a motor car proceeding along the Lusignan Public Road after leaving a wedding reception, when the firearm holder, who was in the rear seat, allegedly attempted to clear his firearm and two rounds were discharged, which struck Premaul Rampersaud, who was in the front passenger seat, to his back and right arm.

The injured man was pronounced dead on arrival at the GPH, and the licensed firearm holder is in police custody assisting with the investigations.