Known robber gunned down

A Port-of-Spain “snatcher” was gunned down yesterday when he defied a ban put on him by certain gang members of the Beetham Estate. According to reports Hakim Raggay, 23, alias “Stick On” was fatally shot around 10.35 on Monday night. He was hit twice to his head and three times to his upper body while watching basketball at the Beetham Estate basketball court. Investigations revealed Raggay, who is well-known to the police as a “snatcher” (someone who robs persons by snatching jewelry and other valuables off their body and running off) recently snatched the chain off a female relative of a Beetham gang member.

Raggay was previously confronted by a man who demanded compensation for the chain, and who told Raggay he was not to be seen in Beetham again. Raggay, father of three and a skilled labourer, defied the man and returned to Beetham and was seen by gang members. As he was speaking to a group of residents, a member of the gang rushed up to him and fired several shots. Raggay slumped to the ground and both spectators and players scampered for safety. Dr Olowe visited the scene and pronounced Raggay dead and ordered his body transferred to the Forensic Sciences Centre, where an autopsy will be performed. Police confirmed that Raggay had several charges pending and a few outstanding warrants for larceny of jewelry.
When Newsday visited the St Paul Street apartment where he often visited his mother, Marlene Grant, she did not express any remorse over his death, but called for justice and for the killer to be found.

“I would not say my son was good or bad, he was nice to me! Some people die how they lived. “While he lived at Besson Street, he visited me every day. “The last time I saw him alive was on Sunday when he came for lunch, after which he said ‘ma’ coon ah gone. The next time I saw him was when the police told me my son got killed and I ran to the Beetham where I saw his body lying on the cold ground. “I do not know if he had enemies or why somebody kill him, but I do not want revenge, I want justice.” Raggay was the third of six children. This brings the murder toll for the year to 139. Cpl Makay of the Besson Street police is investigating.