Mini-mart murder was a ‘hit’

Alexander, owner of LA Mini Mart on the Eastern Main Road, Arouca, reportedly had an argument with a woman who took her grouse to a man she is romantically involved with.

Police were told the man then hired a 24-year-old from Morvant to kill Alexander. The suspect, who was held by Alexander’s customers after the shooting, has been co-operating with investigators, telling them he was paid to kill Alexander. Police are expected to detain a woman in her 20s and another man for questioning.

At about 11.30 am on Tuesday, Alexander of Back Street, Arouca was at his mini-mart when the suspect entered, announced a hold-up and shot Alexander twice in the chest.

He fell to the ground as the gunman ran out of the parlour and into the hands of customers and residents who put a sound and sustained beating on him.

Police were called in and arrested the semi-conscious man.

A revolver loaded with four rounds of ammunition and two spent casings was seized by officers. The suspect was beaten so severely that he had to be taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex for treatment.