URP worker gunned down

Mere hours after Oba Jones, 24, was shot dead on the Brian Lara Promenade after a botched robbery attempt yesterday, a 26-year-old URP worker was gunned down, bringing the murder toll to 103 people killed for the year. Police reports revealed that around 4.10 pm, several explosions were heard at Foster Street, John John, near two high rise NHA apartments. On checking, the body of Aaron Brown of Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain, was found lying in a pool of blood. He had been shot in the head, back and arms.

Officers of Besson Street Police Station were alerted and the body was identified by a female friend of the victim. An eyewitness told investigators that Brown often visited the John John area. He said Brown seen talking to a group of men around 3.30 pm yesterday. Shortly after, several explosions were heard and Brown was found dead. A large contingent of police and soldiers quickly gathered at the scene and cordoned off the area. Police have linked the killing to the murder on the promenade earlier yesterday.

They believe Brown’s killing was revenge for Jones’ murder. Investigators are following certain leads and believe they may be able to make arrests, but police at the scene complained that persons who witnessed the murder are refusing to cooperate with the police through fear of being killed. Homicide officers described the two killings yesterday as frightening, as three murders have occurred in broad daylight within recent times. Recently, a large group of police and soldiers were sent to Laventille in a bid to deal with the spate of gang-related homicides. Laventille residents described the move as a failure, since people are still being killed in the area. Sgt Stewart of the Besson Street police is investigating.