Manning’s messenger shot in bed

A 41-YEAR-OLD messenger employed at the Office of the Prime Minister, and her husband — a Port Authority worker — were executed at their McShine Lands, Laventille home during the early morning hours yesterday, pushing the murder toll to 164 for the year so far. Sharon Carrington, 41, and her husband Martin Samuel, 39, was asleep at their home around 3.40 am, when a masked gunman removed some louvre panes at the southern side of the house and entered a bedroom where 11-year-old Marsha Samuel slept. The killer silently made his way to the bedroom where the couple was asleep and shot Martin ten times about the body, killing him instantly. Carrington was shot once in the left leg and bled to death as the bullet ruptured a main artery.

Marsha, a primary school student, who heard the gunshots, ran to her parents’ bedroom in time to see the masked killer fleeing the scene. The hysterical child started screaming as she saw her parents’ bloodstained bodies and dialled 999, before alerting neighbours. Neighbours and relatives found Samuel’s body on the bed while Carrington’s body was found in a pool of blood in the living-room near the telephone, prompting police to assume she died while trying to make a call for help. A party of Besson Street and Homicide Bureau officers went to the scene and cordoned off the area. The bodies were viewed by District Medical Officer Olawe and removed to the Forensic Science Centre where autopsies will be carried out tomorrow.

At the scene neighbours and relatives expressed shock and anger over the killings. They added that both Carrington and Samuel were decent, law abiding citizens who never troubled anyone. Ann Lewis, sister of the dead man, said her brother was quiet, humble, and lived a sheltered life with his family. She was in a state of disbelief over the killings and called on the authorities to find the killer and bring him to justice. The grieving woman said little Marsha remains traumatised and had to be treated for shock. “Imagine losing your father and mother on Father’s Day under such violent circumstances. It is too much for anyone to bear, let alone an 11-year-old,” Lewis cried. Marsha and her eight-year-old brother Shamike are now staying at the home of a relative in Laventille. Marsha made a card on which she wrote “Happy Father’s Day, I love you Daddy” and purchased a gift for her father. Both the card and gift remained in her bedroom yesterday.

Police investigators said the killings may be linked to a domestic dispute. Officers seized a quantity of documents from the house and added that arrests are imminent. They said based on information received, the two victims were not involved in any illicit activities. Samuel was a staunch Catholic and his wife a Seventh Day Adventist. Investigators said no one was willing to shed any light or information but they are working on several leads. Prime Minister Patrick Manning was unavailable for comment on the death of his staff member and was reported to be in Mayaro yesterday. When contacted for comment, Minister of National Security Martin Joseph said he was unaware of the murder of Carrington and her husband. Ag Inspector Sahadeo Singh and Ag Cpl Darryl Jodha of the Besson Street CID are leading investigations.