Two shot dead, four wounded

Three masked gunmen armed with 9 mm pistols opened gunfire on a group of men engaged in a card game at Trou Macaque, Laventille,  killing a St Ann’s Hospital wards attendant and a mason, around midnight on Friday.

The deaths of Richard Kirt Rosal, 32, and Julien “Boy Boy” De Gannes, 33, who both died at ward 54, of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital early yesterday, pushed the murder rate to 94 persons for the year, so far. Both victims are believed to have died from gunshot injuries to the head. Four others, identified as Anslem Cox, 21; Thor John, 21; Brendon Cox, 19, and Kelvin George, 21, who were also shot, were up until yesterday listed in serious condition at ward 54 of the hospital.

Police investigators said yesterday that based on information received, the gunmen are believed to be part of a gang from an area in Laventille known as “Africa.” They added that the bullets were not meant for Rosal and De Gannes. Police reports revealed that just after midnight, Rosal, De Gannes and four men were engaged in a card game at the corner of Springville Road, Trou Macaque, when three masked gunmen emerged from a dirt track and began firing at the six men. The gunmen then fled the scene through the same dirt track and escaped. All six were rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where they were warded. Rosal and De Gannes died at ward 54 without regaining consciousness. Cynthia Rosal, the grieving mother of murder victim Richard Rosal, said that her son earned an honest living as a mason and had a rasta hairstyle because he was fascinated with the hairstyle. She pointed out that he was respected in the area and was the voice of many people  when the area was plagued by a lack of water. Several young men of the area claimed that he often counselled them, advising that they live a good life.

Yesterday, his picture was placed on a public notice board in the area by several of his friends who appeared angry by the killings. “We want the Prime Minister to know that we are unhappy with the crime situation in Laventille, and we also want him to know that innocent people are being killed and no one seems to have the solution to put an end to the senseless killings,” Rosal’s mother said. She pointed out that when she was finally allowed to view the body of her son at the hospital, his rasta hairstyle was already shaved off in preparation for surgery but she insisted that her son was not attended to by any doctor. At Buller Trace, Laventille, Aretha Arcia, who described herself as the best friend of De Gannes said that Julien was not involved in any gang, and hardly ever went anywhere. She added that he attended  a “blocko fete” at the Trou Macaque, basketball court on Friday and was returning home when he became engaged in the card game close to the basketball court. She pointed out that she is certain that it was a case of mistaken identity. She added that “Boy Boy” as she fondly called him was interested in securing his own home and having his two children ages five and three to live in a good community.

Arcia said that when she heard of the shooting she rushed to the scene and assisted in taking her friend to hospital. She claimed that no doctor attended to Julien and it was only when he was pronounced dead at ward 54 around 2.30 am that a doctor was seen on the ward. Arcia expressed outrage over what she described as “senseless killings” and added that she was fed up of the situation in Laventille. She added that the police/army patrols placed in Laventille are not enough. She also feels that every area in Laventille should have the permanent presence of the police and army on a daily and nightly basis. A party of officers led by Snr Supt Reyes and including Ag Supt Denoon, Insp Ramnarine and others visited the scene of the shooting deaths. Investigations are being conducted by officers of the Besson Street Police Station.