Two gunned down in Dibe gang war

According to reports King, 22, a member of the Upper Belle Vue Road gang in St James, was driving his relative’s car south along Belle Vue Road, when the car slowed to allow another vehicle to pass. A man whom King knew was sitting on a wall nearby, jumped off, walked up to the car and fired a shot, hitting King in the hip.

King’s stepfather drove off quickly, but crashed into a wall at Long Circular Mall.

Soldiers at nearby Camp Ogden rushed the injured men to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where King later died. The victim’s stepfather was treated and discharged.

When Newsday visited King’s home, family members said they believed the killing was gang-related.

Police believe the killing was a reprisal for the earlier killing of Lower Belle Vue gang leader Heith Parris.

According to reports Parris, 32, alias "Crapo," a father of two, had just left the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet at Saddle Road, Maraval, around 11.30 pm on Tuesday. While he was returning to his car, he noticed a man speaking to the female driver in the car.

As Parris sat in the car, the man whipped out a gun and shot him in the head. Parris died on the spot.

Parris’ relatives told Newsday the victim was a gang leader, and said they believe the killing of King was related to the killing of Parris.

The relatives also confirmed they had spoken to Parris many times about his lifestyle, but he refused to change. "Yuh live by the sword and die by the sword," a relative said.

Police attributed the first killing to an ongoing feud between the Upper Belle Vue Road and Lower Belle Vue Road gangs. Police believe the second killing is a reprisal for the first.

Senior Supt Roach, Insp Lezama and Sgt Dan visited the King murder scene. Sgt Dan is investigating. Sgts Persad and Hackett and Cpl Dennis visited the Parris murder scene. Cpl Dennis is continuing investigations.