City of death

Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert yesterday promised to leave no stone unturned to find Sozufe’s killer. Her death took the murder toll to a record 327 as of yesterday, according to police statistics.

Sozufe became the innocent victim of a bloody gang war after she was shot dead in the view of passers-by, while she waited for a taxi at the corner of Duncan Street and Tamarind Square, at about 7.15 pm on Monday. She was on her way to her home at Mcshine Lands, Laventille.

Eyewitnesses said Sozufe and several persons were standing at the taxi stand when a gunman shot her four times in the head. Preliminary reports on Monday night indicated that she had been shot by a stray bullet from a gunman who was in pursuit of another man.

Investigations subsequently revealed that Sozufe may have been killed to send a message to a member of a gang at Mcshine Lands. They reported that two gangs in the district have been targeting the relatives of their respective members in acts of reprisal.

After Sozufe was killed, her killer fired several more shots in the air and passers-by ran to safety.

Some persons sought refuge in the Besson Street Police Station and fast food outlets while others ran toward Laventille. By the time the police arrived the gunman had escaped by running south along Duncan Street. The officers cordoned off the streets and Sozufe’s body was viewed by District Medical Officer Dr Pooran.

Philbert and Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Gilbert Reyes were also at the scene, accompanied by Inspector Corbette and Sgt Singh.

Aware of the concerns the public has about the shootings in the capital, Philbert yesterday assured that measures are being put in place to bring gang violence under control.

“We are gathering our troops to run, and they will continue running until we rid the country of illegal arms and ammunition and the murders are brought under control,” Philbert told Newsday.

A relative of Sozufe described the young woman as a kind and friendly person who knew how to make people laugh. Sozufe worked at Rituals Coffee Shop, Long Circular Road, St James. The relative said Sozufe had recently received death threats.