(Trinidad Guardian) A Central businessman was shot in the head and died while behind the wheel of his truck, moments after he arrived at a construction site on Thursday with money to pay workers.
Police said Jose Luis Guzman Orozco, 44, arrived at the site off Bejucal Road, Chaguanas, at 4.20 pm, after reportedly leaving a bank and was speaking to some of his workers when a blue Hyundai Accent drove up and stopped behind his white Hilux.
Police said two masked, armed men ran out and pointed firearms in Orozco’s direction.
Orozco was the contractor/owner of JLG Construction Ltd of Chin Chin Road, Cunupia, and Rock River Road, St Helena.
The gunmen ordered the victim, who was still seated in the driver’s seat, to “pass it.”
One of the suspects then picked up a shovel, broke the right side rear glass and grabbed a black bag which was on the seat.
The assailants then instructed the workers to run.
The suspects then shot Orozco in the head before driving off.
When the workers returned, they saw him slumped behind the wheel of his truck and flagged down a police officer on mobile patrol along Bejucal Road and reported the shooting.
The officer later found Orozco with gunshot wounds to the left side of the head.
He was declared dead.
Officers found three spent 9mm shell casings, along with a shovel at the scene.
Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally said the latest murder had left the community deeply disturbed.
“This heinous act, reportedly carried out after he was followed from a bank where he withdrew cash to pay his workers, is yet another grim reminder of how criminals are targeting businesses and hardworking citizens in Central Trinidad.”