–Jagdeo says, questions why killer’s gun wasn’t seized after DV charge

IN the wake of a gruesome murder-suicide that claimed three lives and left one critically injured, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is urging national unity and questioning how the killer had a firearm despite a prior domestic violence charge.
During a press conference on Thursday at Freedom House, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary addressed the tragedy that unfolded on Wednesday night at Ideal Road, along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
The incident involved 28-year-old Parmanand Ramdehol, who fatally shot his reputed wife Maline LaCruz, her mother Waveney LaCruz, and teenage sister SueAnn LaCruz before turning the weapon on himself.

Maline’s brother, 23-year-old Seon LaCruz, was also shot and remains in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
“We all have to come together as a country when we have this senseless loss of life of our people,” Jagdeo said while stressing the need for accountability.
Against this backdrop, he raised concern over whether the firearm used in the killings was legally owned, and if so, why it was not seized by law enforcement following Ramdehol’s prior arrest for wounding and threatening Maline earlier this year.

“If this is a legal firearm, why was it not lodged with the police? Because the moment that happens, the police will take away your firearms if you were accused or charged for assault,” Jagdeo said.
According to police in Regional Division 4’B’, the violence erupted around 21:10 hours on Wednesday.

A witness told investigators that she had accompanied Maline, her sisters, and Maline’s children to a nearby creek earlier in the day.
After returning home, Ramdehol reportedly arrived at the residence, where an argument ensued, followed by multiple gunshots.
Officers from the Timehri Police Station responded to the scene, where they discovered Ramdehol’s body near the front door with a 9mm Beretta pistol beside him.

A small bottle emitting a noxious odor was also found nearby. Spent shells, bullet fragments, and live rounds were collected from the scene.
The victims—Maline (25), Waveney (50), and SueAnn (16)—were pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Seon LaCruz, suffering gunshot wounds to his jaw and shoulder, underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition.
The couple shared two sons, aged three and four. Maline also had an eight-year-old son from a previous relationship.

Police records confirm that Ramdehol was charged on January 9, 2025, for wounding and threatening Maline.

He was remanded but later granted bail. Coincidentally, the matter was called in court on the same day of the killings and was adjourned.

The investigation is ongoing, and the crime scene remains under police guard. Post-mortem examinations are pending.