Two shot in Cocorite

TWO men are now listed in critical condition at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital after being shot in Cocorite on Monday evening in separate incidents. In the first instance, Jason Thomas, 22, was in the yard of his Freedom Street home around 4.30 pm, when he saw a man whom he knew approaching him with a firearm. Thomas tried to run, but heard two loud explosions and felt a burning sensation, causing him to fall. He was shot in the head and foot. Neighbours rushed him to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Police suspect that Thomas’ relationship with a girl from the area, who was involved with another man, was the motive behind the shooting. A warrant has been issued for a 24-year-old man from the area.

Three and half hours later, another man Wayne Simmons, 26, was in the yard of his Waterhole home in Cocorite, when he heard a loud explosion, felt a burning sensation in his stomach, and fell to the ground. Bleeding from a bullet wound to his stomach, the man was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital by relatives where emergency surgery was performed. Simmons is warded at the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition. The shooting victim said he did not see his assailant.  No motive was given for the shooting. Cpl John of the St James Police Station is investigating.