Three shot dead in Sangre Grande within 4 hours

Freelance Correspondent

Police officers in the Eastern Division were kept busy yesterday following three murders in the district.

In the first incident around midnight yesterday, David Best, 46, of Cumaca Road, Valencia, was shot along with two other people as they attended a wake at Kangalee Street, Valencia.

Best, a PH taxi driver, died at the scene.

A 41-year-old man from Curepe; and a 30-year-old woman from San Juan, were both injured in the incident.

Police said the trio had been seated on chairs under a tree at the house where the nightly wake was in progress, when two masked men dressed in what eyewitnesses claimed appeared to be police tactical and camouflage uniforms, allegedly emerged from some bushes and opened fire on them.

As those present scampered to safety, the gunmen were seen disappearing back into the bushes.

Best was later found dead seated on a green plastic chair under a tree in the yard. He was shot about the body as well as his upper lip and right ear.

The injured woman was treated for a wound to the left leg, while the male victim was treated for injuries to the shoulder.

Both were said to be in stable condition yesterday.

A total of 12 spent 9 mm shell casings bearing markings 9 mm LUGER, were recovered at the scene.

Eye-witnesses claimed one of the gunmen had been clad in a tactical uniform resembling that of TTPS officers, with a mask covering his entire head and face and only the eyes exposed.

The second gunman was said to have been dressed in a camouflage uniform resembling that of TTDF officers, also with a mask covering his entire face and head and only his eyes exposed.

It was claimed the gunmen had disappeared at the back of the property which is unsecured and leads to the Valencia Bye Pass Road.

In the second incident, which occurred around 3.30 am yesterday, officers of the Sangre Grande Police Station were notified of a double murder at Boodoo Highway, Sangre Grande.

Upon investigating, officers found the bullet-riddled bodies of a couple in a grey Hyundai Elantra, which had been idling on the road.

The man who was identified as Kevon “Shrek” Lucas, 35, of Boodoo Highway, Sangre Grande, was seated in the front passenger seat.

The woman who was identified as Sherayne Salandy, 37, of Phase Four, La Horquetta, was said to have been behind the wheel.

Both victims bore multiple gunshot wounds about their bodies.

It is alleged the occupants of a silver car pulled alongside and opened fire on the couple before speeding off.

Ten spent 9 mm shell casings and 18 spent 5.56 mm shell casings were recovered at the scene.

A close male relative of Lucas spoke to Guardian Media about the tragic shooting.

He urged young people to listen to their parents to avoid early death.

“I wish all the youths could listen to their parents so they can live long lives. They are dying too young,” he said.

Expressing frustration over the lack of communication between parents and their children, he added, “I’m trying to talk to mine but nobody listens. I’m also worried about my younger ones getting caught up in this violence.”

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