Murder in Maracas

At about 11.40 pm, Fernando who worked in the National Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme, was sitting outside his La Mango Road home, when two gunmen shot him multiple times. They ran to the back of Fernando’s house and escaped. Residents who heard the gunshots, alerted police.

Relatives yesterday described the victim as a quiet person who kept to himself. They added that they had no confidence in the police solving the murder and charging anyone. “I spoke to him last night, because he is always by us.

We live further up the hill.

I don’t know what could have caused this,” said a relative. An autopsy is expected to be performed at the Forensic Science Centre in St James today. The murder toll yesterday stood at 148.

AROUCA SLAYING In an unrelated incident, Akile Mitchell, a welder who lived in Arouca was shot dead on Tuesday night but relatives believe his murder will not be properly investigated as they alleged Mitchell was being “targeted” by police.

“I don’t think police will make any effort because they too wanted him dead,” said a relative. “Up until last Tuesday he was in trouble with police. Monday he was complaining his feet were swollen because he had been held for four days by police. About 4 am on Tuesday they came back and said they had a warrant to search.

“They searched and then took him back to jail with 11 other men. They said he get hold for two guns, but they released him after. Police officers told him he had to die,” the relative claimed.

However, the family believe Mitchell was murdered by gangsters after he refused to join the group. According to reports, police found 22-year-old Mitchell’s body at about 10.30 pm, after they responded to a report of gunshots being heard at Windy Hill, Bon Air North in Arouca.

Yesterday relatives said Mitchell enrolled in the Milat programme, along with other institutions and earned certificates in welding and plumbing. Relatives said he made several reports to the Police Complaints Authority after being harassed by police.