Hamandeo Manichand, who police described as a gangster, escaped gunmen three times in six weeks but on Wednesday night he was not so lucky after he was shot dead in front of his common-law wife. Manichand knew he had been marked for death since early last month and even told his family he was being targeted. Reports were made at the Gasparillo Police Station and Manichand was advised by police to leave his home at First Street, Harmony Hall, Gasparillo, and seek refuge elsewhere.
However, Manichand remained in the house. Around 8.15 pm on Wednesday, Manichand was playing cards with his common-law wife, Lashell Foster, and several friends when two gunmen walked into the house. One wore a bullet proof vest, a black cap, marked “Police”, a pair of black gloves and a holster on his waist. The other wore dark clothing.
The gunman, dressed as a police, forced Manichand to lie face down on the floor before firing a single shot to his head, killing him instantly. The bullet pierced a hole in the wooden floor. The men then ran through a track and escaped in a white Nissan Almera. Manichand’s uncle, Boyon Latchman, who live in a house in front of Manichand’s wooden shack, said he was fearful for his life.
“We going to nail up the door. Nobody can stay here,” Latchman said as he helped to load furniture and appliances onto a van. He said when the first death threat came six weeks ago, he grew worried and moved out of his house. “He was never disrespectful but when you live by the sword you die by the sword. Gangster don’t sleep. Manichand had two children — Tefari, 10, and seven-year-old Shania — from a previous relationship.