100 killed in 110 days

The murder toll climbed to an unprecedented high of 100 killings in just 110 days with the discovery of the corpse of an unidentified man yesterday. The number of murders during the same period last year was 69, which means that in 2005 there has been almost one murder every day. Murder victim number 99 was Private Ruben Cabbler, a soldier of the TT Regiment attached to Second Infantry Battalion based at Camp Mausica, who was killed hours before the corpse was found. According to police reports, around 10.30 am yesterday, workmen on Pomme Rose Avenue, Mt Hololo, Cascade, made the gruesome discovery of male corpse murder victim 100, with a bullet wound in its neck.

The corpse was found at the bottom of a precipice. Police were contacted, after which the DMO visited the scene and ordered the removal of the body to the Forensic Science Centre for an autopsy today. When Newsday visited the scene yesterday, residents claimed they could not identify the corpse, but said they had heard three gunshots yesterday morning. Police believe the man was shot nearby and then thrown over the ridge. Nine hours before, at around 1.30 am, Private Cabbler, 24, of Mulrain Road, Laventille, was returning from a pharmacy in Port-of-Spain when he picked up two persons he knew. While driving through Quarry Road, Laventille, two youths jumped in front of his car. One pointed a gun at him and announced a hold-up.

The father of one, whose partner is expecting another baby, at-tempted to drive off, but he was shot in the neck. He continued driving even as the men shot at him. Then one of his passengers pointed out there was blood coming from his neck. Cabbler, also known as the “Mayor of Laventille,” touched the wound on his neck, then suddenly slumped dead behind the wheel. The car ran off the road but none of the other passengers were injured. Cabbler, who has been in the army three years, has his father and younger brother in the army, while his sister is a member of the Coast Guard. When Newsday visited the family home, angry relatives would only say “this death will have serious repercussions.

“It is time the powers that be give the authority to those in the military to deal with these criminals once and for all,” they said. Residents expressed sorrow at the passing of Cabbler, noting he was a good man who took many of the youths off the streets in the area and was creating avenues where they and other youths could harness their energies. Condolences have been extended from the regiment to Cabbler’s family Yesterday, president of the American Chamber of Commerce, Nicholas Galt, called on the 36 MPs to solve their differences over crime and come together to work on the police reform bills. He described the crime situation in the country as totally unacceptable.