Shane Superville
Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Relatives of murdered Diego Martin labourer Hakeem Baker are calling for stronger action to prevent further escalation of violent crime.
Police said Baker, 28, was leaving Sun Valley Extension, La Canoa Road, Santa Cruz, in his silver Nissan B14 at about 8.30 pm on Wednesday when he was ambushed by gunmen.
Investigators believe Baker drove into a ditch while trying to evade his attackers but was pursued as the gunmen continued firing at him. His body was later found slumped in the passenger-side seat, leading investigators to suspect he had attempted to escape the killers.
Officers recovered 21 spent 9mm shell casings of various types at the scene.
Speaking with Guardian Media at the family’s home on Andrew Lane, Blue Basin, yesterday, a relative said they were still trying to understand why Baker was in La Canoa at the time of the attack.
“That’s what everyone is asking right now. The truth is none of us know,” the relative said.
She described the killing as especially tragic, noting that Baker leaves behind two sons, aged one and seven.
Asked whether Baker had received threats or why he may have been targeted, she said the family had no answers and felt that violence had created a climate where “everyone is under threat.”
According to data from the Police Crime and Problem Analysis (CAPA) Branch, Baker’s killing brought the murder toll for the year to 57 as of yesterday morning, compared with 60 for the same period in 2025.
Despite the slight decrease, the relative said she did not feel crime was being effectively controlled.
“Crime is not under control right now. It’s hard to see how people can say things are better. We don’t feel so,” she said.
Up to yesterday afternoon, the motive for the killing remained unknown. Officers of the Region II Homicide Bureau are continuing investigations.
