(Trinidad Guardian) Homicide officers were kept busy Tuesday night following two murders in Chaguanas and Brazil Village.
In the first incident, Naresh James, 37, of Sarju Street, Petersfield in Chaguanas was shot dead on Tuesday night after the gunman confronted his wife and their two children in the bedroom of their home.
According to a police report, around 10 pm James’ wife was at her home when a man armed with a firearm, wearing a mask, entered her bedroom and demanded that she tell him where her husband was.
The gunman, police said, pointed the firearm at her and asked her repeatedly for her husband before deciding to walk through the premises checking for himself to see if James was on the compound.
James, police said, was at that time, seated on a white Toyota Tercel which was parked on the roadway opposite to his house when the gunman approached him and fired several shots, hitting him about his body.
James ran but subsequently fell a short distance away. The gunman then escaped on foot.
James’ wife and her children ran for safety to a neighbour’s house and contacted the police.
Upon arrival, police found James lying face down on the ground. He was shot multiple times to the face and body.
A family member said the murder came as a shock because he did not have any known enemies.
The relative described James as a dedicated father and husband.
“He worked as a straightener and painter and he loved his wife and children to death. It was a hit, he was the target because they came looking for him but we don’t know why. He was not involved in anything sketchy and we don’t know if it was money related or anything like that.”
James, the relative added, was currently constructing his home and was at the time relaxing watching the structure when he was killed.
The second murder occurred around 11.20 pm in Brazil Village.
The victim was identified as Christian Stoll, 22, of Jai Ramkissoon Housing Settlement in Brazil.
According to a police report, police officers responded to a report of a shooting at Gomez Avenue, Brazil.
On arrival, they observed Stoll lying on the roadway in a fetal position on the left side. He was shot multiple times.
Stoll’s friend told police that around 10:30 pm Tuesday he and Stoll were walking along Gomez Avenue when they saw a man clad in dark clothing and a red face mask stooping down in the vicinity of Jan’s Mini Mart. As they approached him the man stood up and pointed a gun at them shouting, “Don’t move!”
Stoll’s friend told the police that he kicked off his slippers and ran off, leaving Stoll behind.
He then heard several gunshots as he continued running away.
Crime Scene personnel processed the scene and retrieved four spent 7.62 ammunition casings.
Motives are yet to be determined for both murders.
