Gunmen shoot at house, set car on fire

RELATIVES of shooting victim Marlon Suraj are now living in fear for their lives, after their home was shot up and two family vehicles set on fire during the early morning hours yesterday — three days after Suraj was shot in the leg. The frightened family is now appealing to police for protection and a speedy investigation into both incidents. The family has also reported to the police, death threats they have received. Yesterday morning four shots were heard at the Barran family home in Bonanza Trace, Princes Town. Minutes later relatives smelled smoke and realised the family vehicles — a blue Honda Civic car and a white Mercedes Benz panel van — were on fire. The telephone lines were also cut. When Newsday visited the house yesterday, Marlon’s sister Patricia Barran said she was scared for her life and the lives of her other relatives including five children, aged from two to 11 years.

The frightened woman told Newsday her 20-year-old brother and an ex-girlfriend were having continuous arguments over their relationship going sour. Barran said on Monday, at around 12.30 am, her brother Suraj and his current girlfriend were about to enter the house after returning from the cinema, which is situated next door. “Three men, two armed with cutlasses and the other with a gun, confronted Suraj and dealt him and his girlfriend several blows about their bodies,” Barran said. “Then the armed man shot Suraj in his right thigh before all four men ran off.” Suraj was taken to San Fernando General Hospital where he remains warded in stable condition. Relating the attack on the family home, Barran said around 1.30 am yesterday, the family home was shot at four times and two vehicles parked in the garage set alight. Quick response by the Fire Department, however, prevented the fire from completely destroying both vehicles and spreading to the house.