Murder in Pomona Valley

Karim Peters

In the south, within hours of the re-enactment of the arrival of the Garinagu, there was a murder in the Pomona Valley. Karim Peters, a carpenter who is the common-law-husband of a former senator and Village Chairman, was stabbed as he headed to his house.  Peters died within minutes, before he could reach the hospital. The alleged killer was well known to him; they were socializing just before the murder and Peters had just completed a small construction job for him. Duane Moody talks to the family, a witness and the police in the following report.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Eleven miles outside of Dangriga, twenty-four year old Karim Peters, a carpenter of News Site Area in Pomona Village was stabbed once to the left side of the chest just a stone’s throw away from where he lived. He was riding home after visiting a friend, when he got into a heated confrontation in which he ended mortally wounded.

Alexander “Pleck” Peters

Alexander “Pleck” Peters, Brother of Deceased

“I was passing same time when I saw the commotion on the side. I actually saw when the guy stabbed my brother, but all I could have done was try and help to get him to the hospital.”

With the assistance of a passing vehicle, Peters who was bleeding profusely, was rushed to the Southern Regional Hospital. But according to Alexander, he took his last breath near mile six on the Hummingbird Highway, in Hope Creek Village. Police say that they have since detained thirty-four year old Juan Rubio, a heavy duty operator also of Pomona New Site area, but the murder weapon has not been recovered.

Wilfredo Ferrufino

Sgt. Wilfredo Ferrufino, O.C., Dangriga C.I.B.

“Dangriga police visited the emergency room at the Southern Regional Hospital. There they saw the lifeless body of Karim Peters from Pomona New Site. Investigations reveal that Mister Peters and one Juan Rubio were involved in a confrontation where Mister Rubio produced a weapon and inflicted a wound to the upper left side of Mister Peters’ chest.  He is currently in police custody. We have gathered all the necessary evidence and have forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions and we are awaiting her directives.”

Duane Moody

“Was the murder weapon recovered?”

Sgt. Wilfredo Ferrufino

“Not at this time.”

Andrea Peters

The murder is allegedly the result of Karim intervening in a misunderstanding between the accused and his other brother, Nigel Rubio. Around eight-forty-five on Sunday night, Karim was fatally stabbed allegedly by Juan.

Andrea Peters, Cousin of Deceased

“Unfortunately on Sunday, I got a call from a friend…Karim was stabbed by Chito. He mentioned that it started with a little fuss between the brothers and unfortunately it ended up in a bad situation.  The brother mentioned to me that he himself didn’t know that Chito had a knife and that Karim was on his bicycle and Chito on the other side. And so Chito just leaped over and stabbed Karim and he actually thought it was a punch.”

The murder has come as a shock the entire community including Peters’ common-law-wife, Corona Villafranco, a former Senator, who says that Karim was working for the man who eventually took his life.

Corona Villanueva

Corona Villanueva, Common-Law-Wife of Deceased

“I was shocked to hear that it happened. Right away I got to understand who inflicted the fatal stab wound; I was very surprised and shocked to hear that. And after I heard the entire incident, I was more confused than anything else because the previous day, I had to go for Karim from that same person’s house. Karim was actually helping him with his stairs and verandah. And the following morning, Karim also took up that same fella; they went to River Bash that we had in the village. So for me that sort of news was so surprising to find out that it was somebody who was with Karim the previous day and the day of the incident.”

Villafranco, who has a two year old baby girl with Peters, is also the chairlady of the village. She says that while the incident was unexpected, Karim will be remembered as a caring and loving father and brother.

Corona Villafranco

“Karim meant a lot to me because he came into my life when I lost my son in a tragic traffic accident. He was a father to my fatherless sons who I had before. And I have a daughter for him. So I’ll remember him as a very caring, loving and good father.”

Alexander “Pleck” Peters

“He’s a real good person; he helped a lot of people. He is a real nice person—hardworking, loving and I will miss him a lot and everybody will miss him.”

Corona Villafranco

“In Pomona; this is not something that we expect within Pomona. Pomona has always been that peace loving village where everybody comes out and unite and we have fun.”

Late this evening, Rubio was formally charged for the murder of Peters. Duane Moody for News Five.