A double murder at Moses Avenue, San Juan, on Monday night rocked the area, leaving residents traumatised and the relatives of both men reeling in shock and grief.
The victims have been identified as James Marine, 61, of Sea Trace, Bagatelle Road, Diego Martin, and Kevin Bocage, 36, of Tomato Trace, Diego Martin. Police said the two men were found dead in Marine’s blue Toyota Tercel in San Juan around 8.40 pm on October 6 by residents who came out to investigate after a volley of gunshots was heard in the vicinity of SIBS Hotel.
When police officers arrived, they found the driver’s, passenger’s and rear left doors, as well as the trunk, all open. Marine, who worked as a taxi driver, was discovered hanging out of the driver’s side of the vehicle with gunshot wounds to the head and body. Bocage was seen leaning out of the front passenger door with multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
Forensic officers recovered 22 spent 5.56 mm shell casings and a Stag bottle at the scene. Police said residents reported hearing gunshots around 8.40 pm on Monday and later saw a white car speeding out of the area.
At the Forensic Science Centre in St James yesterday, Marine’s relatives had to take a few minutes to compose themselves after identifying his body, as they were overcome with emotions.
The saddened relatives appeared to be in a daze as they struggled to digest the news that he had been murdered. Requesting that their names not be published, the two relatives recalled last speaking with Marine around 3 pm on Monday, when he came to have his cellphone repaired.
One said, “As soon as it was fixed, he got a call about the PH work, and he said he was a lil broken and would take it cuz he needed to get money to buy dog food for Dusty.”
Dusty, they said, was a brown pothound who was the love of Marine’s life and whom he treated as a human—cooking for her, grooming her, and even disciplining her as a parent would a child.
Relatives believe Marine had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. They urged taxi drivers and the public to be more discerning when accepting private jobs, especially given the country’s crime situation.
Marine was described by his relatives as “very humble, very peaceful, and usually kept to himself”.
They revealed Marine had been taking care of his 91-year-old father and was always hustling.
The two fought back tears as they questioned why Marine’s life had to end in such a violent manner.
