71 murders in 76 days

POLICE are baffled over the circumstances surrounding the execution of Maloney “PH” taxi driver Joseph Parson, aka “Morgan.” Parson, 45, was shot dead around 9.30  on Wednesday night while plying his car for hire on the Maloney/Red Hill route. According to reports, the NHA plumber and father of five picked up two passengers in Maloney,  a man and a woman. The man asked to be taken to Swallow Drive. On reaching the destination the man placed a gun to Parson’s head and fired two shots, hitting him in the back of his head and temple. The gunman then got out of the car and fired a third shot hitting Parson in his face. The gunman then grabbed some cash on the dashboard and ran off.

The screaming female passenger in the back seat ran out of the car and made her way to the Maloney Police Post where she filed a report. Police responded and found the dead driver slumped over the wheel. Police sources told Newsday that they were baffled because Parson was a quiet man who would not pick up anyone he did not know. He was not known to be in any questionable activities, was on the right side of the law, and would report anything suspicious.

“One thing for sure this was an execution, not a robbery. Police believe Parson was killed because he knew something and threatened to expose it, or upset someone by a report he made to the police. Parson was  murder number 71 for the year. Visiting the scene were ASP Trim, Insp Daniel, Sgt Ashby, Cpls Tim Kew and Parks, and PCs Woods and Lewis. Insp Daniel is continuing investigations. Two hours earlier, Tobago pensioner John James, 76, was shot dead at his Crown Point home. He was murder number 70. There had been 52 murders during the same period last year.