THE murder of businessman Rishard Ali on Wednesday morning has struck fear among the Chaguanas business community who claim they are under siege. They are now asking to be armed and are calling for the death penalty for criminals.

Ali, 48, had just left his Biljah Road, Caroni Savannah Road, Chaguanas, home when a gunman he had spoken to a short while before, opened fire on his vehicle PDC 4440, hitting him multiple times.

The injured Ali jumped out of his vehicle and started running across the road. He collapsed in front of a house in the district. He was taken to the Chaguanas District Health facility where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Scores of people took to Facebook to express condolences to Ali's family, speaking of his support for community efforts and clubs, as individual kindness.

Among them a group identified as The A Team which expressed deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ali, whom they said was one of their sponsors.

'Absolutely unbelievable,' another wrote with a tearful emoji. 'You were more than a friend, you was part of my family. RIP BROTHER.'

A female friend wrote, 'Never in my wildest dreams I would think I have to make this post today. I don't want to believe you're gone!!!!

'You helped me find hope through my darkest days and gave the best advice anyone can give.

'You said you will always be one phone call away for my family and I and you always proved it. You were the most caring person and never hesitated when it came to me. 'You always put others first in front yourself. You will never be forgotten as long as I'm here... Rest my Angel. Be at peace.'

Police were initially investigating a botched carjacking, but sources claim the electrical contractor may have known his killer who stopped his vehicle in front of Ali's house and had a conversation with him. They have also ruled out robbery as Ali was reportedly wearing jewellery which was untouched.

The motive, police say, is unknown at the moment.

However, president of the Chaguanas Business Chamber Baldath Maharaj called on Government, 'to give us guns so we can defend ourselves, and death for criminals.' The Chamber recently hosted CoP Earla Christopher who called on them to look to Jesus when confronted with the upsurge in crime.

The call to arm business owners was expressed earlier by Supermarket Association president Rajiv Diptee, following the murder of San Juan businessman and owner of Golden City Supermarket Bingzhang Zhu, on Good Friday.

Opposition MP Dinesh Rambally, in whose constituency Ali lived, said he was told that Ali had applied for his FUL, which former CoP Gary Griffith had signed off on.

He never received final approval after Griffith left the service.

'I will not mince my words: this Rowley-led PNM government has blood on their hands,' he said.

Meanwhile Maharaj told the Newsday a lot of businesses had been calling him to report threats of extortion from the criminal element. 'We are under siege. With crime out of control, we cannot sleep comfortably at nights in