As thousands celebrated with their families yesterday, a St Joseph family wept bitterly as they mourned the death of their 18-year-old son who was gunned down while on his way to a neighbor's house. Around 3 pm yesterday, Cordell Dandulal, 18 of Hill Top Drive, Acono, Maracas, was shot several times while walking along a track in the area.
Relatives were alerted by the loud explosions and on checking, they discovered Dandulal's bullet-riddled body lying face down in the mud. Officers said Dandulal, also known as "Busy" died at the scene. Up to 5 pm yesterday, officers remained at the scene awaiting the arrival of the District Medical Officer. No motive has yet been established for the murder. Police say there is no link between this murder and the shooting on Christmas Eve at the St Joseph cemetery.
On December 22, Deputy Police Commissioner Mervyn Richardson declared that there was very little serious crime in T&T. St Joseph police are continuing investigations. Meanwhile, a bandit with 57 previous convictions who attempted to break into the house of a businessman in Chaguanas early yesterday morning, had to be hospitalized after he was shot by the owner.
Around 4 am on December 25, the businessman and his family were asleep when they heard a commotion and awoke to find the intruder attempting to enter the house at Orchard Gardens. After alerting officers, the businessman used his licensed firearm to shoot the bandit twice. Responding to the call, officers arrived at the scene and took the injured man to the Chaguanas Health Facility where he was treated and later transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.
The 46-year-old bandit who is from Claxton Bay, was said to have 57 previous convictions, the majority of which were for house breaking, larceny and drug possession. Checks with hospital officials yesterday revealed the man was resting in a stable condition. Officers said the suspect would undergo an identification parade when he was released from hospital, in relation to other robberies in the area.