Killed on Monday

TWO men, who walked free of a murder charge on Friday, were executed yesterday morning in what police believe was a “take in front before in front take you” hit. Ronald Gaskin, alias “Doom,” 22, and his cousin Junior Sookram, alias “Country,” 27, were both riddled with bullets at their Sawmill Avenue home in Barataria. Another brother, Garvin Sookram, alias “Beam,” who was believed to be the real target, was at another house and was able to escape. According to reports, seven armed men surrounded the house as two masked gunmen dressed in dark clothing burst into the house, ran to the bedroom and started spraying Gaskin with bullets at around 3.30 am. The gunmen next ran to another room and started shooting at Sookram, who was hiding under a table. Another family member arrived at the scene of the shooting and a gun was stuck in his face, causing Sookram’s grandmother to scream out.

The gunmen then turned their attention once again to Sookram, who was hiding under a bed. He was riddled with bullets. Two children who were sleeping on the bed with him, and several other family members in the house remained unharmed. When Newsday visited the scene, relatives refused to talk, but neighbours confirmed it was a hit they were expecting. “Ever since the case reached the point where the five would have been freed, we knew someone would have been killed, either for snitching or being snitched on. “It is simply a gang associated with the snitcher who took in front before they were killed.” The five relatives, Hassan Sanchez, John Wayne Alleyne, Ronald Gaskin, Garvin Sookram and Junior Sookram were all freed last Friday of the murder of Roger Alexander, alias “One Arm,” on August 19, 2000 in Barataria by Justice Rajendra Narine. Meanwhile, police have confirmed the hit was related to old grievances before the five were incarcerated. Investigations confirmed that shortly before the five were arrested for murder, there was a fight for control of the drug turf in the area. Cpl Ramjit is investigating.