Four murders overnight keep police, undertakers busy

Police have identified the victims as Marcus “Shotta” Patterson, 31, of 17A Street Beetham; Nicholas Gill, 19, of Phase Four, La Horquetta; Kenneth “Copperhead” Reid, 50, originally from Blondelle Alley in Laventille and Ishmael “Demo” Williams, 18, of Seventh Avenue, Malick, Barataria.

The first incident occurred at about 7.30 pm at 17A Street where Patterson and his neighbour Junior Mc Donald, 17, were attacked during a drive-by shooting. Patterson died on the scene while Mc Donald was taken to Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) where he was treated and remains warded in serious condition.

Police report that Patterson left a christening which was taking place in another street and went to meet a group of friends. While liming, a Nissan Almera car pulled alongside the limers and the occupants opened fire.

Police said Patterson was the wrong man killed and they believe the gunmen’s target managed to escape. Police said they also believe the incident was a reprisal for a murder which occurred three years ago at Phase 4, Beetham Estate.

Patterson’s sister, Melissa Craig, described her brother as a person who was willing to do anything for anyone and who dreamt of having a wife and children. She claimed her brother was not involved in any gang activities.

The second murder occurred at about 10.30 pm at Pinto Road in Arima near the Santa Rosa intersection. According to a police report, residents heard several loud explosions and when a check was made, Nicholas Gill’s body was found. He was taken to the Arima District Hospital where he was pronounced dead-on-arrival.

Police believe Gill was shot for his alleged link to last week’s shooting where a man was shot three times in the head and remains warded in critical condition at hospital. Gill, police added, had a pending court case.

Then at about 4.30 am yesterday, Kenneth Reid was shot dead near the George Street Health Centre in Port-of-Spain. A party of Inter-Agency Task Force officers including PCs Neil “Darky” James, Bernard Warner and Jamal Young visited the scene and carried out investigations.

The fourth murder occurred at about 8.30 am at the corner of Ninth Avenue and the Eastern Main Road in Barataria.

Police said Ishmael Williams went to buy breakfast at a parlour when he was accosted by a group of men.

Police said an argument ensued which escalated into a fight, during which, Williams was fatally stabbed in the neck. Officers led by Supt Stephen Ramsubhag and including Insp Moses Charles, Cpl John Norton and PC Denzil Maynard visited the scene and began investigations which eventually led to the arrest of two men. The murder weapon has not yet been found. Williams’ grandfather Lindsay Thomas of Ninth Avenue, Malick denied his grandson was part of a gang and was killed by members of a rival gang.

Thomas said Williams arrived at his house at about 7.30 am and left 30 minutes later to purchase breakfast.

“Every day Ishmael would come and look for me. He was a very good boy and I tried to steer him in the right path. He was very respectable and I don’t know what transpired that he would have been killed.” Investigations into the four murders are continuing.