Aranguez taxi driver shot

ARANGUEZ taxi driver Harrinarine Ragoonag was shot on Friday afternoon by one of four male passengers he picked up, police sources said.

According to police, around 3pm, Ragoonag, of Ramlochan Street, was plying his taxi for hire. On reaching Second Avenue and Tenth Street, Barataria, police said two of the male passengers alighted leaving two more in the back seat. Police sources said on reaching the corner of Tenth Street and Second Avenue, one of the two passengers, wearing a white vest, pointed a gun at the back of Ragoonag, saying: “Pass the money.  Pass the change.” Ragoonag is reported to have brought his vehicle to a halt and was shot from behind on his left upper shoulder. Police said Ragoonag was then dragged from his vehicle, in which the assailant and the other passenger drove off.  The car had not been located up to late evening. Police said Ragoonag ran to a nearby house and collapsed, bleeding profusely. He was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he is reported to be warded in stable condition.

A report was made and a party of officers headed by Insps Dave Hillaire and Coa, along with Cpls McMillan and Jacobs visited the scene and conducted interviews. A statement was also taken from the victim. No arrests had been made up to late evening and Cpl McMillan is continuing investigations.  In another issue, two Diego Martin men are due to appear before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate Monday to answer gun and ammunition charges. The two men were held around 4 am Friday by officers of the West End Police Station, under Cpl Francis Rivas and including PCs Wheeler, Fournillier, Brisbane and Samuel. Police said the officers executed a search warrant at a River Estate house and found a .38 revolver and four rounds of .38 ammunition. The two men are also wanted in connection with a series of shootings in the River Estate, area, senior police said.