3 murders recorded in 24 hours

In one case, on Thursday night gunmen shot and killed a 22-year-old Guyanese national.

Hours later, not too far from where the Guyanese man was killed, another man was gunned down. Also on Thursday night, a man who was recently released from prison, was gunned down in St Augustine.

MURDER 1 Police said that Raphael Collins, 22, was shot while having his hair plaited by a female companion.

According to reports, Collins was in the gallery of a house at Lot 8 in Old St Joseph Road, at about 9 pm on Thursday, when a car pulled up. A man alighted from the car and shot Collins as the woman screamed for help.

The gunman got back into the car which sped off. The woman was unharmed.

Relatives yesterday said they believe Collins was “set up” as persons were not happy with his relationship with a 16-yearold girl. Collins’ parents, who are still in Guyana, have been told of his murder. It is not known whether they would come to Trinidad, or have the body flown to Guyana for final rites.

MURDER 2 Also at 9 pm on Thursday, a 41-year-old man was shot dead in St Augustine.

While relatives were reluctant to speak to reporters, Newsday was told the deceased was identified as Mukesh Pooran.

Residents of Freeman Street heard gunshots and on checking, found Pooran on the road, face up. He was shot in the head. Police said the victim was well-known to them for several drug related incidents. He was recently released from prison.

MURDER 3 Yesterday at 2.30 pm, 20-yearold Ayinde Williams of Patna Road, St Ann’s was killed in a drive-by shooting. Williams went to visit a friend at Lot 9, Old St Joseph Road, Laventille when a car pulled up and gunmen opened fire. Williams died on the spot. Newsday understands the man was visiting family members of his girlfriend, when he was killed. No arrests have been made in any of these three murders.

SHOT BODY IN SEA Finally, the body of a man who was discovered in the sea off the North Coast on Wednesday, has been identified as Shawndell Goldon, 22, who was reported missing on March 10. An autopsy revealed he died from multiple gunshot wounds.

“They really advantage the youth,” said Curtis Goldon, the victim’s father. “I cannot say what happened, because a child may not tell you what he is going to do. But to my knowledge he was not involved in anything, he was not owing anyone anything. He was not the kind of child that would be in a gang. I really cannot say what happened and I am looking for answers.” Goldon was last seen on March 10 and when relatives realised he did not return to his Fatima Trace, Paramin home they did not pay it any mind, thinking he was nighting over by friends.

When he did not return home the following day and could not be reached on the phone, his mother, Debra De Verteuil contacted the Maraval Police Station. The murder toll up to press time stood at 142.