Three more killings push toll to 21

A pensioner, a teenager and a Guyanese man have been murdered in separate shootings, pushing the murder toll for the year to 21. 

The victims have been identified as Pascal Romero, 72, of Passion Lane, Carapo; 17-year-old Quincy Proster, of Crystal Drive, Morvant and Guyanese national Tyrone Achia of Freeport.

Around 6.30 am on Wednesday, Romero was having breakfast with his wife in his outdoor kitchen when the couple heard a man calling at the front of the house.  Police said the visitor walked into the couple’s yard, greeted them and without warning drew a gun and began shooting at Romero. 

He was shot several times in the chest. The gunman, who was described by neighbours as a slim African male in his 20s, ran away after Romero collapsed. He died on the spot. 

Homicide detectives have not yet established a motive for Romero’s murder. Supt Baldeo Nanan, Insp Wayne Baptiste and Cpl Williams are probing the murder. 

Almost six hours later, Proster, a past student of the Russell Latapy High School, Morvant, went to the school to collect a recommendation. 

After collecting it, Proster was talking to friends along Cipriani Street when a black car pulled alongside them. A man got out of the car and had a short conversation with Proster which turned into a heated argument and the man drew a gun and shot Proster several times. 

The man then returned to the car and drove off. Proster was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he died while undergoing emergency surgery. He was not known to police and did not have a criminal record. 
Supt John Daniel and Insp Ramlogan of the Morvant CID are investigating. 

Meanwhile 29-year-old Guyanese national, Tyrone Emmanuel Achia, of Arena Road, Freeport, was shot and killed in the driveway of his home. His relatives and friends were left in a state of shock, saying he never did anything beside working as a supervisor at the Highway to Heaven Restaurant and Bar, a quarter-mile from his home.

Police said around 10 pm, Achia was returning from a neighbour’s home and as he entered his yard, a gunman emerged from a black Toyota Corolla and shot him once in the chest.

The gunman then returned to the car and drove off. Achia ran a short distance into the garage where he collapsed and died.

Police said the gunman did not steal anything from Achia, as his gold beera, gold rings and $420 remained on his person, while the black suitcase he was carrying lay unopened in the yard.