FAMILY, friends and employees have been left reeling after Tuesday’s brazen gun attack on Ruthven Road in St Andrew which left 45-year-old businessman Richard Ramdial dead.

Police reported that Ramdial was attacked while in rush-hour traffic on the busy roadway minutes before 5:00 pm on Tuesday by a gunman who made his escape on a waiting motorcycle. More than a dozen shots were fired into the window of Ramdial’s heavily tinted left-hand drive Mercedes-Benz sports utility vehicle.

He was rushed to the University Hospital of the West Indies where he was pronounced dead.

Yesterday, when the Jamaica Observer visited Ramdial’s automobile businessplace on Beechwood Avenue, employees said Ramdial’s father was too distraught to speak.

“Him not seeing anyone right now; he’s not taking any visitors at this moment. As you can see how the place stay, we can’t talk. No one here can talk; this too much,” one employee told the Observer.

Another employee, who appeared confused by what had transpired less than 24 hours before, said she was still in disbelief.

“He was quiet. His father is more personable. You would hardly see him; he doesn’t really speak much,” she said.

Meanwhile, Facebook friends of the slain businessman were left in shock following news of his murder.

“What is really going on in this country? Richard Ramdial I just can’t believe you too. RIP,” one friend said.

Another user wrote: “Richard Ramdial no! Oh my God no!”

“Richard Ramdial, let me start by saying he was a good dude that never disrespected me nor anyone else so the question is #why,” another friend said.

The police say they have launched an investigation into Ramdial’s killing.

— Kimone Francis