Celebration Turns Deadly, Father Killed After Brutal Attack as Community Faces Renewed Grief.
What began as a joyful family celebration quickly turned into tragedy in San Fernando, leaving a community shaken and searching for answers. Rajkumar Pope, a father of two and employee of the Ministry of Agriculture, died on March 26, 2026, after being violently attacked in Friendship Village—an area already burdened by the unresolved killing of 12-year-old Mariah Seenath.
According to reports, Pope had been out with his family celebrating his daughter’s Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) milestone. While on their way home, he stopped at a nearby minimart around 6:30 p.m. to purchase bread. Inside the establishment, he was suddenly confronted and assaulted, with the attacker allegedly punching him repeatedly in the head.
The situation escalated quickly before being broken up by Pope’s wife and another individual at the scene. Though the altercation ended, Pope showed clear signs of severe injury, including swelling to his face and complaints of intense head pain. After returning home, his condition deteriorated rapidly. Emergency services were called, but despite efforts by paramedics, he began bleeding from the mouth and nose and was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.
Police have since detained two individuals, including Marlon Seenath and a minor relative. However, CCTV footage reportedly suggests that Marlon Seenath was not directly involved in the assault and had attempted to intervene.
The incident has reignited fear and sorrow in Friendship Village, as residents grapple with yet another devastating loss while investigations continue.









