Cops seek motive for Diego murder

RELATIVES OF murder victim Mark Marcano have described his killing as senseless and are demanding answers. “We want to know. . .  was it a paid hit, was it a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or was it meant for the victim as a message?” a concerned relative asked. The police, who have ruled out robbery since nothing was taken from the victim, are also trying to determine the motive for the 27th murder for the year.

At around 9.30 pm on Friday, Marcano, 25, an employee of Neal and Massy Limited, Morvant, was at the Brunton Avenue, Diego Martin home of a friend preparing to go to the “Cooler Fete” at Pier 1, Chaguaramas, when a gunman entered through the front gate and started firing wildly. Marcano was found in a pool of blood with gunshot wounds to his head, chest and hand. He was rushed to the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Cocorite, but died on arrival.

When Sunday Newsday visited the bereaved family at LP #110, Diego Martin Main Road, his mother was too traumatised to speak. However, his aunt called for justice and answers. “My nephew was a wonderful guy, ask anyone. This murder is senseless,” she said. “He is not a party person but simply was there on the request of his cousin. This killing does not make sense. We want to know if he was killed because of someone else, what that person did and why Mark? “Was it that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?” Police sources confirmed that Marcano did not have a criminal record, although he had a close friend who was linked with the criminal underworld. They said Marcano’s friend was a suspect in the recent murder of Kelmiss McCarthy. McCarthy was killed a short distance from where Mark was shot.

Cpl Marcelle of the West End police is investigating. Meanwhile, West End police are also investigating the circumstances under which David Belgrade was shot. Following a report from officials of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, police went to the hospital where they found the man being treated for a gunshot wound. According to reports, at around 10.30 am yesterday, Belgrade, 21, of Maitagual Road, Bagatelle Village, Diego Martin, was liming at Khan’s Bar on the Diego Martin Main Road when he heard a shot and felt a burning sensation in his leg. He looked down and saw his leg bleeding. He was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and following successful surgery, is resting comfortably.