ROQUE DIAS | NT
MARGAO
Three armed masked men barged into a store in Texas, United States, and shot dead a Goan man Conbino Crasto (40), who was working in the store, plunging Conbino’s family at Bambado, Chinchinim into mourning.
Family sources said that on Wednesday at around 9. 30 pm, (Indian time Thursday afternoon) the three armed masked men entered the store in Cleveland, Texas, where Conbino was working. They shot at him and ran away with the money from the store.
Conbino’s colleague also sustained injuries in the shooting.
Conbino’s cousin, who also works in Texas but in a different store, called in the police. Conbino was rushed to Hermann Hospital in a copter, but was declared dead on the way.
“We got the news at around 12 pm on Thursday. First calls came from friends. We were shocked and shaken. With heavy heart we received the calls confirming the death… I cannot believe that he is dead,’’ said his crestfallen brother Roy Crasto from his Chinchinim resident.
The neighbours and friends kept pouring at their house offering condolence to the bereaved family, especially Conbino’s wife Jessica and his two sons, aged 12 and nine.
Conbino had planned to celebrate his and wife’s birthday at his residence in March 2016 after working seven years in Texas.
He had changed his earlier plans to come down to Goa for Christmas.
“Conbino worked for seven years in the US. He had wanted to come down for this Christmas season, but he told us that he would not do so, as he wanted to celebrate his and his wife’s birthday in March 2016. I spoke to him on Wednesday morning (Indian time) and he told me that he is getting ready to fly back to Goa…” Roy said.
“It was all stored in his destiny. What else can I say? I was not fortunate enough to share last meal with him. Conbino had met our elder brother Alcisco Crasto at Texas after nine long years, when the ship Alcisco works for halted at Texas. They had dinner together,’’ Roy said.
“The store manager phoned us this morning telling us that he would try to send back the body as fast as he could. Saturday and Sunday are holiday there. We will come to know about it only on Monday. Several people from Chinchinim and Assolna who work in Texas have extended their support and promised us to help in sending the body back within a week,’’ Roy said.
His cousin, who works in Texas, had sent an e-form which we filled in and sent back.
The formalities are being done.
It is learnt that the Cleveland police are probing the case.