Four killed within 24 hours

The killings have pushed the murder toll to 335 for the year.

The first murder occurred at 6 pm when Jason Francis, 20, of Hell Yard in Beetham Estate, was shot dead near his home. Police reports revealed that Francis was approached by a group of men who shot him several times.

His body was viewed by a district medical officer and ordered removed to the Forensic Science Centre.

Almost four hours after Francis was killed, his home, which he shared with seven others, was maliciously set on fire. Neighbours formed a bucket brigade but by the time fire officers arrived the house had already been gutted. The occupants of the house escaped injury.

Investigators told Newsday that the killing and arson were gang-related.

Officers of the Besson Street Police Station are investigating.

The second murder occurred at about 10.30 pm, when San Juan resident Allan Forte was shot dead while on his way to visit a friend.

Reports revealed that Forte, 25, left his home with his friend Brian John. On reaching Belmont Valley Road, two men came out of an alley and shot Forte several times.

They then fled the scene.

Officers of the Besson Street Police Station responded and an unsuccessful search was conducted for the killers.

Forte’s relatives said he was not involved in gang-related activities, and they were baffled over his killing. They believe it was a case of mistaken identity.

The third killing occurred at 6 am yesterday, when shots were heard at Mango Alley, Laventille.

During a search, the bullet-riddled body of a man was found lying at the side of the road.

He had no form of identification on his body. Police believe that killing was also gang-related.

Then, at about 7 am, the body of a man was found in bushes at Cecelia Street, Arima. Police reports revealed that villagers of the area saw the body of the man in bushes.

They alerted the police and a party of officers led by ASP Badal and including Insp Johnny Abraham, and Sgt Ramdeen went to the scene along with a district medical officer. The body was ordered removed to the Forensic Science Centre.

Officers of the Arima Police Station are calling on members of the public to assist them in identifying the body.