BEETHAM MAN GUNNED DOWN

A Beetham Gardens man became this country’s 93rd murder victim yesterday, after he was shot in the head and chest. According to reports, Hakim George, 25, was seen riding his bike on 18th Street in Beetham Gardens at 10.45 pm, when residents heard three shots. On investigating, they found the body of the 17th Street watchman in a pool of blood with bullet wounds to his body. He was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) where he underwent emergency surgery, but eventually died from his injuries. George, who was recently released from prison after serving time for robbery, was well known to the police.

When Newsday visited the crime scene, residents claimed they saw nothing. However, George’s brother Gordon “Shaka” George, said he believes his brother’s murder is related to a robbery which took place one month ago, and the company he kept. “Ever since my brother came out of prison one year ago, he had been riding with a man suspected of killing another man in the Hellyard area (23rd to 25th Streets) two years ago. This made the gang members of Hellyard very angry. “One month ago, he was robbed by some of these people during a gamble, and he made a report.

“Sometime later he said the issue was over, but he was warned that he must not return to that area. “But my brother was hard-headed because I often told him to done with the gang life and that since his imprisonment, gang life had changed. I also told him he does not understand those fellas are not taking things lying down anymore. But my brother would take no heed. “From what I learnt he was on 18th Street when one of the fellas who had warned him not to return shot him.” Police confirmed they have indentified a suspect, and an arrest is imminent. Visiting the scene was Insp Singh, Sgt Boyce and Cpl Carmichael who is investigating.