Cuttail for murder suspect

The suspect remains warded at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex under police guard, recovering from the beating.

Police said at about 11.30 pm, Laraon Alexander, 26, was at his business, LA Mini Mart, at Back Street, Arouca when the gunman entered.

Alexander grabbed the bandit and a struggle ensued, during which time, he was shot twice in the chest and collapsed. Customers and residents who heard the shots and ran into the mini mart, quickly overpowered the bandit and beat him for several minutes. A .38 revolver was seized. Arouca police were called in and when they arrived, the dazed, bleeding bandit begged officers to save him from the cuttail.

They took possession of the revolver which was loaded with four bullets and had two spent shells in the chamber. The man was taken to hospital for treatment. Alexander’s body was removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James for autopsy.

Residents said that Alexander was well respected in the community especially over the fact that he tried to earn a living by legal means instead of running with gangsters.

It is not known if his mini mart was robbed before but residents told Newsday that the crime situation has gotten so bad that simply going to a mini mart to make purchases, could see a person ending up dead.

Investigations are continuing.