Five people have been shot and killed in separate incidents along the East West Corridor and south Trinidad, between Thursday night and yesterday afternoon.
The murder toll for the year now stands at 480. Last year's figure for the same period was 536. According to police, the killings occurred in Arima, Arouca, Carenage, New Grant, Sea Lots, and St Joseph, respectively. The victims:
�2 Arnum Singh, 21, of Cocorite Road in Arima;
�2 Jeremy Davis, 25, of New Grant;
�2 Wayne Clinton Rocke, 42, of Lopinot Road in Arouca;
�2 Raphael "Poundie" James, 39, of Jones Street in Carenage;
�2 Courtney Reid, 40, of Agostini Street in Champs Fleurs.
Rocke, a security guard, was discovered motionless in the guard booth of Furness Chemicals Ltd, at Concession Drive, Sea Lots, yesterday morning. The 42-year-old was employed with Thor Security Services. He was on duty at Furness Chemicals where the incident occurred. His corpse was discovered by a colleague who had to jump a wall to gain access to the compound. According to police, a guard assigned to a nearby company heard loud explosions coming from the vicinity of Furness Chemicals, around 4.30 am. The guard told investigators he paid no attention to the explosions, because it was a regular occurrence. Shortly after 4 am, landscapers arrived at the compound to work, and called out to Rocke, but got no response.
Cop-shooter murdered in Carenage
Police were also investigating the murder of James, who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting on Abbe Poujade Street in Carenage, on Thursday night. Officers said James had shot and wounded PC Simon of Carenage Police Station, while the lawman and another officer were on foot patrol on Abbe Poujade Street. Police said the officers had spotted James firing shots at another man in a bar, when they challenged him. The victim was described by police as a "known shooter" in the Carenage district. According to police, James was standing on Abbe Poujade Street around 8.30 pm, with another man, when a silver-coloured motorcar passed by. The occupants opened fire on James before fleeing the scene. James, police said, slumped to the ground and died on the spot.
St Joseph killing
Reid was the latest homicide victim who was shot while loading loose material onto a container at Railway Road in St Joseph. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Police said a man armed with a firearm approached Reid at about 2.30 pm and shot him multiple times in the head and neck. The victim slumped to the ground as his attacker quickly fled. Police suspect the incident may have stemmed from an altercation Reid had with a group of men last week. Insp Grant, Sgt Sinanan and Cpl Bernard of St Joseph CID is investigating.