Five years ago there was an attempted murder on Mark John's life but the death threats continued and days before he was killed, John, 27, of St James, gave three names of his enemies to several people, including a senior warrant officer, from the area.
Around 5.30 am yesterday a man on his way to work found John's body along a track at Bourne's Road. He had been shot several times.
Police said residents reported hearing several gunshots around 11 pm Monday but no one went outside to investigate.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, a close friend, who did not to be identified, said John survived a hit on his life five years ago.
"He was shot in the buttocks in that attempt. He was lucky to survive then but it is sad to see that he did not survive this time," John's friend said.
John was deported from the US after several years but both his parents still live in the US and were said to be vacationing in St Kitts.
John, also known as Kimani Cyat, was described as a "no nonsense kind of guy" and was known for defending himself and others from the alleged troublemakers in the area. It is believed he was not liked and was killed because of a "turf war."
"He used to lime around with the fellas but he was not in nothing with nobody and the fellas and them used to threaten him because of 'turf war', but he was not in anything wrong.
"He was strongly built and was known as a fighter to all those who came around him with stupidness, so they had to get to him with a gun, nothing else," John's friend said.
When the threats against his life intensified, John confided in friends and family members and gave the names of three individuals responsible.
"This is so chilling and scary but true talk," John's friend added.
John's body was removed to the Forensic Science Centre, St james, for an autopsy.
Investigations are continuing.