TT murders jump from 239 to 242 in twenty hours

WITHIN the space of 20 hours, the murder toll in TT sped to 242. That number was accomplished with the execution of Mark Joseph yesterday evening at Knolly Trace, Tunapuna a few metres from his grandmother Dookie Trace, Tunapuna home. His death followed the murder of Timmy Brewster, 27, who was found dead on Ovid Alley, Picton, Laventille around 6 am yesterday with several bullet wounds to his body. About 12 hours before the strangled body of Rookmin Ramkelawan, 51, was found dead at her Clarke Road, Penal home while her husband Narine Ramkelawan, 51, a labourer was found hanging from a rafter at the back of his house.

According to information around 2 pm residents heard a volley of shots coming from an area known to be used by drug pushers and users. When they investigated they found the body of the Maloney Gardens resident Mark Joseph, lying face down at the end of the trace, next to the Tunapuna River in a pool of blood with bullet wounds to his head, neck and back. Residents told Newsday that the man who formerly lived in the area was a quiet person. Police claimed they had no record on the Ministry of Works employee, but believed the shooting was drug related.

Five bullet wounds were seen on the body, while eight spent shells were recovered. Sgt. Don Lezama is investigating. The body was removed to the Forensic Science centre by the DMO who visited the scene. In the second murder around 9.pm on Monday residents of Ovid Alley heard a volley of shots but no one investigated. Yesterday morning the body was found by a passerby on the road lying in a pool of blood with several bullet wounds. He was later identified as Timmy Brewster of Hall Lane, Pelican Extension, Morvant.