State witness gunned down

Both were shot in their head.

Rampersad, a father of two, was executed in his bedroom early in the morning. He was due to give evidence for the State yesterday in a kidnapping case, for which three men are before a San Fernando magistrate. According to a police report, at 4 am, Rampersad was at home when three masked gunmen stormed the house, asked for the man who drove a B15 car, went to his bedroom and shot him.

Rampersad died at the scene. An 11-year-old girl was in the house at the time, but was unharmed.

“His last words to us was, ‘doh worry...everything will be ok’,” a relative said. The gunman apparently did not know Rampersad’s address as they earlier invaded another house but left when they realised the lone occupant was an Afro Trini. “When they realised the occupant was an African man, they went to the next house. I was hit in the head with a gun butt by one of the gunmen as I was on the road and was confronted by the men who asked me for the man who drives a B15. When they found who they came for, gunshots were heard,” a neighbour related.

KILLED FOR JEWELRY In the other incident, relatives believe Joseph was killed for his jewelry and may have also known his killer. Brother Keldon Joseph said, “As far as we know, he was not involved in any criminal activity.

Because of all his tattoos he was nicknamed ‘Kidd Ink’.” Joseph was shot dead near his home.

A 74-year-old female relative, standing in the porch of her home, saw him fall to the ground on being shot in the head. Jewelry including a gold chain, two rings and pair of earrings together valued over $4,000 was missing. According to police, at 9 am Joseph was walking along Parakeet Boulevard when he was shot. “He knew the killer I am sure of this. That is why he was not only robbed but also shot dead. Only night before he told me he not going anywhere for Carnival because of men walking around with guns,” Joseph said. His brother’s body remained sprawled at the side of road in the hot sun for over three hours before being taken away. Autopsies are expected to be done today on both bodies and investigations are ongoing. No arrests have been made.