Two shot dead in La Horquetta, D’Abadie

Dead are Maurice Clifford, who died at hospital after being shot near his home at Red Hill, D’abadie and Salim Gonzales, who was killed while visiting a home along Irving Williams Trace, La Horquetta.

In the earlier incident, police officers responded to a report of loud explosions, which were heard at Sunbeam Street, Red Hill, D’abadie, at about 3.05 pm on Sunday. When officers arrived at the scene, they saw Clifford, a 42-year-old man, being transported to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, by his brother. Officers later found out that minutes before, Clifford was at his neighbour’s property, along with a group of men who were assisting with construction on his neighbour’s home.

At about 3 pm, they were accosted by two men, both armed with firearms and wearing jerseys over their heads to conceal their identity.

The men trained their guns on Clifford, and shot him multiple times.

When Clifford and his brother arrived at the hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival. Relatives were reluctant to speak to members of the media yesterday, while at the forensic centre, however, Newsday understands an autopsy done confirmed that he died from multiple gunshot wounds. Police officers who visited the scene on Sunday, recovered several spent shells on the scene.

The later incident occurred at about 10.20, yesterday morning.

Newsday understands Salim Gonzales was visiting a home along Irving Williams’ Trace, Phase Six, La Horquetta, when he was killed by an unknown assailant.

According to reports, Gonzales was at the front of the home he was visiting, speaking with two other persons, when he was approached by a man armed with a firearm.

The gunman shot Gonzales several times about the body. Newsday understands that Gonzales, of Ramkellawan Trace, St Joseph, ran several metres into a bushy area and collapsed.

The two murders raise the toll for the year to 382, as compared to last year around the same time, when it stood at 362.