Shoemaker shot dead in Cocorite

A 50-year-old shoemaker of Waterhole, Cocorite, was shot dead at around 4 am yesterday, sending the murder toll to 123 for the year. Reports revealed that around 4 am yesterday, residents near LP 99 in Waterhole, were awakened to sounds of what appeared to be firecrackers. They investigated but saw nothing. Around 6 am, a resident came upon the body of Chrispin Thomas lying in a pool of blood at Freedom Street. Western Division police led by Snr Supt Lennox Gonzales went to the scene accompanied by District Medical Officer Dr Clarke, where they recovered 48 pellets, leading investigators to conclude that a pellet gun was used to kill Thomas. The body was viewed and removed to the Forensic Sciences Centre.

At Upper Waterhole, the dead man’s mother Carmen Thomas told Newsday the last time she saw her son alive was around 1 am. She added that Chrispin told her he was going to see the sunrise at Fort George. The grieving woman claimed that her son had recently given his life to the Lord and was not involved in any illicit activities. Sheldon Bernard, alias “Meck Meck,” Thomas’ eldest son, said he believed his father was killed because a group of Muslims from the area had threatened him (Bernard) if he did not hand over $47,000 which he had won in a recent cash pot. Bernard said he resisted the men and felt they killed his father to send him a message. Cocorite residents, however, had a different story to tell, saying that Thomas was a drug-addict who owed money for drugs.