Man gunned down at Beetham

MICHAEL HOLDER, a 24-year-old father of one was shot dead by a lone gunman while liming close to a shop at 25th Street, Beetham Estate on Friday night. His death is the 121st murder for the year so far. Police investigators told Sunday Newsday that they were able to obtain a statement from an eyewitness into the shooting death, and an arrest is imminent. Yesterday, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the suspect. Holder of 24th Street, Beetham Estate, left his home on Friday night telling his common-law wife Melissa Elder that he was going to the nearby shop. Reports revealed that around 11 pm, Holder was standing close to the shop when he was approached by a lone gunman who shot him at point blank range in the chest. He slumped to the ground clutching his chest as the gunman ran south along 25th Street, crossed the Beetham Highway and escaped. The injured Holder was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. When Sunday Newsday went to the scene of the murder yesterday, an eyewitness claimed that he saw when Holder slumped to the ground clutching his chest. He added that he also saw the gunman fleeing the scene.

Another man gave a conflicting report that Holder was in possession of a 16 gauge shotgun and accidentally shot himself in the chest. Police investigators told Sunday Newsday that they are treating the death as a murder and not an accidental shooting. Relatives of the dead man claimed that Holder was employed wit the Community Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP). Elder claimed that Holder was a good husband and an excellent father. She claimed that she was asleep when she was told the dreaded news of the death. As tears swelled her eyes yesterday, Elder pointed out that she is still in a state of shock over the death and is unsure how to deal with the situation. Holder had a case pending in court for buying stolen items. The next court hearing was scheduled for Tuesday. Officers of the Besson Street Police Station are investigating.