(Trinidad Express) The country has recorded its second murder since the declaration of a State of Emergency on August 21, and curfew restrictions imposed in six areas described as crime hotspots.
The victim has been identified as Cleveland John, 38, of Albans Road, Valencia.
John was shot in the head and back by a man dressed in full camouflage uniform and ski mask, while liming with friends in front of his home on Friday night.
Police said around 9 p.m. John was in company with three other friends outside his home, when they heard noises coming from bushes nearby.
A man armed with a shotgun approached and told the group not to move.
The frightened men ran in separate directions, leaving John behind.
His wife, police said, came outside to see what was happening, and the suspect pointed the gun at her and ordered her back inside.
Several gunshots were heard and John was later found in a pool of blood.
He died at the scene.
A report was made to the police and Cpl Junior Bernard and PC Ragoobar of the Valencia Police Post responded to the report.
A search was made for the suspect but he could not be found.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Neville Sanker led a team of officers from the Sangre Grande Police Station to the scene where they began enquiries.
Police said they believe the incident may have been linked to John’s close relationship with a drug dealer from the Damarie Hill, Guaico, Sangre Grande area.
Cpl Harper of the Sangre Grande CID is probing the incident.
Even though several villages within the Eastern Division have been classified as crime hotspots by police, the division, which includes the Valencia area, is not affected by the current curfew restrictions.
On Independence Day Craig Diaz, 32, of Diamond Main, Crown Trace, Enterprise Village, Chaguanas was shot dead while at his home after an intruder stormed his residence, half-hour after curfew restrictions ended.
The Chaguanas Borough is one of the areas identified as a crime hotspot, particularly Enterprise Village.
The other areas where the 9 p.m.- 5 a.m. curfew restrictions have been imposed are the cities of Port of Spain and San Fernando, the Diego Martin and San Juan Regional Corporations and the Arima Borough Corporation.
One week ago, 26-year-old Karim Alexander of St Thomas Village, Chaguanas, was stabbed to death by a close relative during a domestic row at his home.
His killing has not yet been classified as a murder after an inquest was ordered into the incident by Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard.
