Dangriga Father of Two Shot Dead on Christmas

A family in Dangriga is heartbroken this holiday season after their loved one, Richard Aranda, was tragically shot and killed on Christmas night. Richard was walking along Sabal Street in the Lakeland Area when he was ambushed and shot twice, just after nine PM. The incident left the community with many unanswered questions, as Richard, a resident of Rivas Estate, was not known to have any conflicts with anyone. News 5’s Marion Ali brings us more in the following story.

 

Voice of: Sabal Street Resident

“I mi eena mi bathroom taking a shower, I just got inside and I heard four shots, so I say da pop shots and John Kunu mi di play cross the street deh, the last stop over deh. So I said that nuh wa be gunshots and lotta kids deh rround. So I don’t take my shower and I get outta mi shower fi get eena mi bed fi put on clothes eena mi room and I hear pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. And I say, what?  So, by the time I said I was going to peep through my window, I see people running through my yard ya. So I said, Oh my God. So I get – I start shaking. So I wait for a long while before I come outside. That time police done deh out ya already, and then I ask if the bwai dead. I aske da who get shot? Richie!”

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

On Christmas night, twenty-three-year-old Richard Aranda was walking down Sabal Street when tragedy struck. Just after nine p.m., two men on a motorcycle approached him and shot him at close range. Aranda collapsed on the street and was quickly rushed to the Southern Regional Hospital, but sadly, he passed away half an hour later. A resident of Sabal Street, who spoke with News Five, shared that Aranda had left their house only about an hour before the fatal shots were heard. The community is left in shock and mourning as they grapple with this senseless act of violence.

 

Voice of: Sabal Street Resident

“He spend whole day with me right pahn da chair deh eena da corner. Ih gone buy mi two stour and mi Lala milk and ih tell mi “I gwein give mi kids dehn gift and ah wa come back and ih spend a whole day with me til after six ih gone stand up right deh. About 7:30, I call ah back and say, “Papa, I gwein inside. I tired. Ih help mi ker in all deh chairs, the table, mi box weh I play music. I tell ah goodnight. So that da after 7:30, like going for eight o’clock. I surprised fi see da bwai dead. I can’t sleep all night. I just got to rest this morning before day. I can’t believe it, man.”

 

For one resident, the spot where Richard Aranda was gunned down brought back chilling memories of losing a relative to gun violence years ago. This tragic incident has stirred up a sense of unease in the neighborhood once again. But who would want Richard dead, and why? His friend is grappling with the same questions. They shared a strange occurrence from that night, almost like an omen, adding another layer of mystery to this heartbreaking story.

 

 

 

 

Voice of: Sabal Street Resident

“Ih say “My bredda call me and tell me how ih dream dehn shoot me up and kill me – my bredda da jail.” I say, what?  So then I look pahn ah and I say, but I have a dream that wa  bwai come through the window, and dehn ih drop ih cap right deh soh.  I can’t see ih face, then look pahn ah and I say but the person look like you. Then ih laugh.”

 

 

Richard Aranda was a father of two young children. Police found several expended shells at the scene, have detained one suspect, and are looking for another, both also residents of Dangriga. Marion Ali for News Five.