Brothers shot dead in Diego Martin

According to reports, at about 9.45 am, two gunmen made their way through a narrow, dried river which led to the back of the brothers’ home.

The assailants then entered the house and shot Jerome and Joshua. Relatives were alerted by the sound of gunfire and called police. On checking, they discovered the bullet-riddled bodies of the brothers.

Officers of the Western Division Task Force, under Senior Supt Ramdhanie, responded and are investigating.

Relatives described the victims as quiet men who kept to themselves and did not bother anyone. They could not provide a possible motive for the killings.

Jerome, who was mentally ill, was described as peaceful and friendly to all neighbours.

However, one resident told Newsday that people were looking for the elder brother, Joshua, for some time.

“The guys who did this were waiting about four years to get him. He left the area but only came back recently, and that’s when they decided to kill him.” Councillor for the area, Michael Alonzo, who lives mere metres from the scene of the shooting, visited relatives of the deceased and denounced the killing.

“This is really senseless. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to do something like this.

I personally know the mentally ill young man and we talk often.

It just doesn’t make any sense,” he said.

Alonzo added that La Puerta is not a crime hotspot and residents often live in peace with one another.

He said this is testament that crime can occur anywhere and without warning. Alonzo said he is prepared to extend whatever assistance he can to the family through the cooperation of the village council. Joshua is survived by his two children, aged five and ten years old.