Granny used as human shield in ride-by shooting

Gloria Mollick, a 67-year-old grandmother of 10 Jubilee Street, Gonzales, was used as a human shield by 25-year-old Osbourne Sylvester of St Barb’s Road, Laventille.

Reports state that Sylvester and Mollick were standing on Charlotte Street at 1.50 pm, near Republic Bank, when the hitman, who was heading west along Park Street, spotted Sylvester, jumped off his bike and opened fire at him. Sylvester was shot five times before grabbing Mollick as a shield for protection. Mollick sustained one shot in the leg while standing, and three more after she was pulled to the ground by Sylvester.

A police officer who was passing nearby saw the commotion and gave chase. Reports state that the officer confronted the shooter on Bath Street, a stone’s throw away from the shooting. The gunman turned around, pointed the gun at him, laughed out, then jumped on his bike and rode off.    

Officers of the Inter-Agency Task Force quickly cordoned off the area and went in search of the gunman, but their efforts proved futile.

When Newsday arrived, a large crowd had converged on the scene. The two injured persons had already been rushed to the city hospital, but puddles of blood were still evident. Investigators had already encircled the 13 areas on the sidewalk where spent shells were found. Taxi drivers and other vehicles were also prevented from entering Charlotte Street.

Students from the neighbouring Rosary Boys’ RC School, who were dismissed from classes soon after the shooting, were restricted from exiting the gate until about an hour later.

Those in the classes on the upper floor were said to have witnessed part of the shooting. Speaking to Newsday at the hospital yesterday, relatives of the injured woman said that Mollick had just returned from Payless Supermarket on Charlotte Street and was awaiting a taxi to take her home, when the incident occurred. They expressed rage at the shooting, and criticised Sylvester for his "selfish and nasty" actions.

Meanwhile, Sylvester was said to have just returned from a casino on Frederick Street. Police believe the shooting was gang-related.

Up to news time yesterday, doctors were still trying to remove the bullets from Mollick and Sylvester.