KILLED FOR A LIGHT

UPDATED:

A 38-year-old fisherman from Cumana Village, Toco is the nation’s 30th murder victim. David Callendar was shot dead, allegedly by a relative with whom he worked, during an argument which started over a boat light. The suspect is now in police custody assisting with investigations.

“He was killed for stupidness,” said his father, Theophilus, yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

“He just wanted to live his life in peace with his wife and children.” Theophilus told Newsday, Callendar was a fisherman and part-time carpenter who had three children. The eldest of his children is 17, and the youngest ten.

He said Callender’s killer went to his home demanding the light, and the argument which ensued ended in death. Theophilus said Callendar worked a boat which belonged to his relative and was on Sunday approached by the man who was asking for the light so he could go out to sea.

Callendar, who was mixing mortar, explained what happened to the light and promised he would get it replaced during the week. The man, however, demanded that he got the light immediately.

In an attempt to reason with the man, Callender told him he would be able to use a light on his brother’s boat for the time being. The man was still dissatisfied. An argument eventually broke out, then the argument got physical. After a scuffle, the man left.

Callendar later went to his brother’s boat and noticed his light was missing. He then went to the man’s home, accompanied by his 17-year-old son and, at about 8 pm on Sunday, confronted him. Another scuffle ensued and Callendar overpowered the man and threw him to the ground. As Callendar was walking away, the man grabbed a gun and approached Callendar to shoot him.

Callendar’s son noticed the man approaching, and grabbed him.

Callendar and his son wrestled with the man in an attempt to disarm him and, during the scuffle, two shots went off. Callendar was shot in his stomach and shoulder. He fell to the floor bleeding.

Newsday was told that Callendar was then put in the tray of his truck – with the assistance of the same man who shot him – and was taken to the Sangre Grande hospital where he died.

As Callendar’s truck was going to the hospital, the man went into his car and drove off. He was however caught by police in a roadblock in Matura.