After meeting with his ten-year-old son, a 71-year-old man was shot dead as he sat in a taxi in front of the Gulf City Shopping Mall in La Romaine.
Joseph Phillip, of Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas, died seconds after he was shot.
Police said Phillip had gone to the mall to meet his son. He and his wife are separated but the court gave him visiting rights.
He met his son at the mall and they spent some time together. People said they saw him at the food court.
When his visiting time came to an end, Phillip left the mall and entered a taxi, a silver Nissan Wingroad which was parked on San Fernando taxi stand along the Gulf View Link Road, which runs parallel to the mall. Two other passengers were in the back seat.
The driver was near the mall trying to find another passenger when at around 3.30 pm a man casually walked up to the car and fired several shots at Phillip.
The shooter then crossed the road and entered a Tiida which sped off.
Paramedics went to Phillip’s assistance, but he had already succumbed to his injuries.
Police believe Phillip was the intended target and the shooter had been following him. Nothing was stolen from him. He was still holding money, presumably the taxi fare, in his left hand and his other hand was on a black plastic bag on his lap. He was wearing a ring and wristwatch.
A car fitting the description of the getaway car was later spotted in the Embacadere area.
Traffic was restricted from passing along the road where the taxi was parked while the scene was processed by the police. Scores of people gathered in front of the mall. A man who stood with his relatives, including a little girl, looking at Phillip’s body in the car, said murders have become a normal occurrence in this country.
“This is sweet Trinidad and Tobago. You are not safe anywhere, not even in your home. If someone mash your toe you have to tell that person sorry,” he said.
San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello said he saw the footage of the incident on social media.
“I’m amazed by what I’m seeing and I’m very disappointed that this has happened in San Fernando but I’m sure the competent Trinidad and Tobago police will do what they have to do to deal with this matter,” he said.
A district medical officer viewed the body and ordered its removal. An autopsy is expected to be performed today at the Forensic Science Centre.
Supt Wayne Mohammed and Sgt Clint Williams were among police officers from the San Fernando CID, Southern Division Task Force and Homicide Bureau of Investigations who visited the scene.