Man murdered at mall carpark after leaving casino

A man who police described as a “professional gambler” was murdered moments after leaving a casino­—the Princess Members Club— at East Gates Mall, Trincity.

Police said Derrick Patrick Jr, 37, of Harrinanan Extension, Malabar, was about to enter his black Toyota Corolla at 11 pm when a gunman came out of a car parked next to his and shot him. The killer then jumped back into a black Hyundai-model vehicle and drove off. The cars, at the time of the killing, were parked in the mall’s basement carpark.

At East Gates Mall yesterday, the entrance to the basement carpark was closed.

Workers at the casino said Patrick had moments earlier played Rhum 23, a casino table game, but did not win. The workers said he was a frequent patron.

In a statement yesterday, the management at East Gates Mall said it was working closely with police to ensure the mall is safe following the shooting death at its carpark. The management said it was committed to providing a safe and secure shopping experience.

“We have a highly skilled and experienced security team that utilises a number of proactive security measures, both seen and unseen. We also maintain a close working relationship with the police to ensure that the appropriate security measures are being taken to help provide and maintain a safe environment at our property.”

Management also offered condolences to the relatives of Patrick Jr.

Police officers were seen at the mall speaking with a management team at 11.55 am.

One of the officers was overheard insisting that the officers receive all information, including footage of the shooting, as soon as possible.

The officers left around noon and two of them were seen interrogating a man, who later accused the officers of “jumbying him.”

Inside the mall, tenants and shoppers were undisturbed by Patrick’s killing as they went about their business as usual.

One shopper told Guardian Media he was unaware of the killing but was not fearful. Security guards appeared to be on high alert, scrutinising each customer entering.

Business owners said they did not expect the murder to hamper sales.

At Patrick’s father’s Red Hill, D’Abadie home, a relative said the senior Patrick was not at home and there was no other relative who could speak to the media about the deceased.

Patrick’s murder follows that of Kevon Solomon, who was also killed at the nearby Trincity Mall. Police reported in June last year that Solomon, a social media personality known as “Yank Boss,” was driving his Chevy Cruze in the Trincity Mall carpark when he was attacked by a gunman who shot at his car. Solomon was hit several times and crashed into a parking barrier and another vehicle and subsequently died.

Earlier this year, businessman Michael St John was also shot multiple times as he made his way to his parked vehicle at Long Circular Mall, St James. St John, owner of the D’Dial Fitness Gym, was shot in the face by a gunman in January. He survived the attack.

Only on Thursday, DCP Junior Benjamin said police would increase patrols outside banks, at hospitals and other spaces frequented by members of the public, given the number of brazen killings which occurred in highly populated places.

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