2 dead, 1 hurt in Barataria shoot-out

Two men, believed to be members of a gang, were shot dead and a third man, who was recently freed of a murder charge, was shot in the right leg in a gun battle at Sawmill Avenue, Barataria on Wednesday night. The killings took place while Prime Minister Patrick Manning was addressing the nation on anti-crime initiatives being undertaken by his Government. The dead men were identified as Kerwin Cyrus, 20, of Carolina Village, Couva and Kerwin Hinds, 31, of Diego Martin. Cyrus, father of one, was identified through a cell phone found in his pocket. The second victim was recently detained by Homicide officers for a series of murders in the Western Division. The man injured in Wednesday night’s shootout is Garvin “Beam” Sookram of Sawmill Avenue, Barataria. Sookram also survived an attempt on his life on June 28, when his brother Junior Sookram, and Ronald Gaskin were killed in that attack.

Reports revealed that three men pulled up in a car at Sawmill Avenue at around 8 pm on Wednesday, and a shoot-out began, in which the two men were killed. The injured Sookram was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The bodies of the two men were viewed by the District Medical Officer, and removed to the Forensic Science Centre. Police investigators recovered a Lawson .380 pistol and a magazine with four live rounds. Also, three shotgun cartridges, eight spent 9 mm casings and three live rounds of 9 mm ammunition were found at the scene. Police investigators told Newsday their information was that Cyrus,  Hinds and a third accomplice had gone to Sawmill Avenue to kill Garvin Sookram.

They were greeted by rapid gunfire which resulted in the two being killed, while the third man escaped. The two murders sent the toll for the year to 147. During the same period last year, 133 persons were murdered. Sookram was under police guard up until yesterday. Investigators told Newsday Sookram would be questioned about the two murders. Sookram, Hassan Sanchez, John Wayne Alleyne, Ronald Gaskin and Junior Sookram were all freed on June 25 of the murder of Roger Alexander, alias “One Arm.” The murder took place on August 19, 2000 in Barataria. Police investigators told Newsday the double murder was linked to old grievances. Snr Supt Bishop, Insp Coa, Sgt Louison and Cpl Ramjit visited the scene, and investigations are continuing.