Cops hunt gunman and three accomplices

A 29-year-old coconut vendor was shot dead a short distance from his Dookiesingh Trace, St Augustine, home by three men who had been stalking him for almost a week. His murder is the 55th in 85 days.

Mere hours after the murder, police officers arrested two suspects and seized a gun believed to be the murder weapon. Yesterday, the body of Nizam “Sheriff” Mohammed was left lying uncovered at College Road, St Augustine, for more than one hour before the arrival of the District Medical Officer. Nearby, his 18-year-old common law wife Sunita Ramjattan sat in a chair and wept as she stared at the body. Police reports revealed that around 8.40 am Mohammed was at home with his wife when he was told by a neighbour that three men in a car were looking for him. Mohammed, who had an unlicensed gun, walked towards the area where the car was parked and fired a shot at the men. The bullet missed its mark and one of the occupants of the car fired one shot striking Mohammed on the left side of the head. He slumped to the ground and died.

The killer and his accomplices fled the scene and officers of the Tunapuna Police Station were alerted. A neighbour retrieved Mohammed’s unlicensed gun. Police investigators told Newsday Mohammed was a known drug pusher. They said he had a previous confrontation with three men and had reported the threats to the police. Neighbours described Mohammed as a kind person who was always willing to assist anyone. They added that it was his dream to build a proper home, and over the weekend, he purchased galvanize sheets and started work on the house. He had also planned to marry Ramjattan and start a family. Police investigators said the arrest of a third man is imminent. ASP Dillon, Inspector Grant, Sgt Modest, Cpls Collins, Ignacio and others visited the scene and are investigating.