Two Diego Martin residents are now warded in hospital after two shootings near their homes between Thursday night and yesterday morning.In the first incident around 10 pm on Thursday, officers of the Western Division responded to a report of a shooting at the Patna Village Recreation Ground in Diego Martin.When they arrived on the scene they saw a man using his hand to apply pressure to a gunshot wound to his abdomen.
The victim, later identified as Matthew Pope, 35, of Blue Basin Road, Diego Martin, was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he remains warded in a stable condition.Almost 12 hours later, the same group of officers returned to the area after another resident was shot in his neck.In that incident around 10.30 am yesterday, 21-year-old Brandon Hinds was liming with friends near his home at the corner of Cizan Trace and Waterwheel Road, Diego Martin, when they were approached by a gunman.
The man drew his gun and began shooting at the group of men. He then ran away.During the melee Hinds was shot in the right side of the neck. Neighbours took him to the hospital where he was stabilised.He remained warded in a stable but serious condition up to late yesterday evening.Although the bullet exited his body, police said fragments were left in the wound, which would require surgery to remove.
Investigators said they were able to interview both victims and have received "key information" which may assist in solving the shootings.No arrests were made up to late yesterday.Insp Thomas, Cpl Linton and PC Joseph, all of the Western Division, are continuing investigations.