(Courtesy: The Fairfax Journal) FAIRFAX,VA: When a man robbed a Vienna Texaco station last March, he took the station’s money and left attendant Paramjit Singh unharmed, Singh didn’t even ask to be taken off the night shift.

A fortnight ago, Singh was robbed again, but this time he was stabbed and beaten to death, marking Vienna’s first slaying since John Kowalczyk was shot and killed June 10, 1993, police said.

“I’s just a real tragedy, it’s just so useless,” said Jim Beck, one of Singh’s acquaintances,

Singh, 39, worked the midnight shift at the gas station and also worked at a Manassas 7Eleven with his wife so he could make a better life for his family, which had emigrated from India.

At about 3:30 a.m, that Friday night, a customer trying to pay for gasoline found Singh lying on the floor of the Texaco station at 262. W. Maple Ave. police said. Money had been taken from the store’s register.

The customer called the police and Singh was taken to Fairfax Hospital where he underwent surgery. Early Monday morning, he died.

Police say they have collected physical evidence, including fingerprints, but do not have any suspects or leads, They are trying to determine who bought gas around the time of the slaying, between 2:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.

 It was a very brutal scene,” said Col, Dan Kerr, chief of the Vienna Police. “Anybody would be shocked.” Texaco station owner Charles Chahel described Singh, who had worked for Texaco just over a year, as a hard worker with a “very charming personality.”

Singh immigrated from India five years ago. His wife and two boys, ages 7 and 12, followed him to the United States in 1993. Singh spent his free days caring for his boys while his wife was at work. : Unlike most area gas stations, the Vienna Texaco station has a small store and is designed so customers have to enter the station to talk with the attendant.

Police do not believe the robber in March was connected to Friday’s slaying. Despite the previous robbery, Singh never questioned working nights, Chahel said.

“He worked very hard to make it in this country,” he said, “They were Just trying to make it.

‘Some businesses say they are more concerned about safety in the otherwise peaceful Vienna community. Fairfax County Crime Solvers is in a $1,000 cash reward for any information about the crime that leads to an arrest and indictment. Call 18006732777 or 6918888, Callers don’t have to give ‘their names.

Article extracted from this publication >>  August 4, 1995