Pickpocket gunned down

BANDIT, PICKPOCKET and ex-convict Ashim Alleyne on Tuesday night became this nation’s fifth murder victim for the first four days of 2005. Alleyne, 29, who was released from prison on December 11 after spending eight months in prison for robbery with violence, was shot four times about the body while liming with friends outside his George Street, Port-of-Spain apartment. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

According to reports, Alleyne was sitting outside his George Street apartment with friends when a man they knew came up and fired several shots. The friends scampered for safety, while Alleyne ran to the nearby Nelson Street apartments, where he collapsed. The bleeding man was rushed to the hospital, where he died. He had four bullets wounds in his head, back and shoulder. When Newsday visited the crime scene, some residents said they saw nothing, while others claimed Alleyne did not live in the area. However, a relative of the deceased told Newsday Alleyne said he had  an altercation with a man in prison who had threatened to kill him after he was released.

Police sources told Newsday that Alleyne had several charges for shooting, pickpocketing, robbery and similar pending charges. They believe the shooting was a revenge hit. Visiting the scene were Insp Singh, Sgts Boyce, Meeto and Franklin. Sgt Franklin is investigating.