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Sylvan Boodan - Although police investigators have not yet established a motive for the murder of a well-known businessman who was shot dead on the morning of November 3 on the compound of his workplace, relatives strongly suspect it could be linked to an obeah debt.
Sylvan "Lawah" Boodan, 58, of Jeffers Crossing, Tabaquite Road, was gunned down around 8.30 am at R. Baldeosingh Services Ltd (RBSL), a construction company along San Pedro Road, Poole Village, Rio Claro.
Boodan owned Gloria Bar on the ground floor of his residence, but also worked as a straightener and painter at RBSL.
According to reports, while at RBSL on November 3, he was called out by name by a man standing near his car.
After a brief exchange, a single gunshot rang out.
The gunman ran off, and Boodan collapsed and died at the scene in front of his car.
A relative told Newsday they suspect the killing may be connected to a dispute involving unpaid services to an "obeah man" earlier this year.
Reports suggest the dispute dates back to July, when the alleged spiritual advisor reportedly sent messages and videos, through an intermediary, claiming to be owed money for services performed on behalf of Boodan against a woman.
It remains unclear how much money was involved.
The woman allegedly went to the police station in August to report an "obeah death threat" against her, but reportedly did not receive a receipt for her complaint.
Boodan lived on the same compound with his ex-wife, Gloria, and other relatives.
The couple, who were divorced, did not share any children together.
Relatives told Newsday that the settlement of their divorce case was finalised in court on September 26.
A relative recalled receiving a call about the tragedy at 8.42 am and rushed to the scene with Gloria.
"He was quiet and always working, Sunday to Sunday. He was a nice person. We had a good relationship," she said.
"Up to yesterday, we were talking in the bar. At the scene, a woman claiming to be the common-law wife was also there. Some people are speculating, unaware that the settlement has already passed. That has no connection whatsoever with the death. People like to talk."
Boodan's siblings live abroad.
Via Facebook, a relative posted a photo of Boodan saying, “We regret to announce the death of our beloved brother Sylvan, who passed away this morning in Trinidad, who was shot by a gunman at San Pedro Poole. Our family is saddened and can’t quite come to terms with this news. RIP bro.”
A wrecker removes the car owned by Sylvan Boodan, 58, who was shot and killed at the RBSL construction site at St Pedro, Rio Claro, on October 3. - Photo by Innis Francis
Residents described Boodan as a hardworking, respected man. As far as they are aware, he had no enemies in the area.
One villager, who asked not to be named, said while driving home that morning, he saw a masked man running along San Pedro Road with what appeared to be a gun.
"I did not know at the time that he had just killed someone, but I knew he was trouble," he said.
"I turned around and went to see where he was heading, but I did not see him anywhere. Maybe he went hiding in the bushes. I started warning people to lock up."
Moments later, while heading home, he saw a group gathered and learnt of the murder.
"Lawah was cool, a businessman, not involved in anything shady. If he was, I would have told you. No one from this area did that. The suspect is not from this area. I saw him running about a quarter mile from the scene," the man said.
The villager added that he told police where he last saw the suspect, and expressed disappointment that officers did not immediately pursue the area in search of the gunman or the weapon.
Officers later went to search but did not find the killer.
Another villager said, "We don't have this kind of thing in San Pedro. The shooter just walked up normal, normal, and fired one shot."
Officers from the Rio Claro police station and other units from the Eastern Division, as well as the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region II), responded to the scene and collected evidence.
Investigations are ongoing.
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