Kidnapped cousins shot and left for dead

Donnie Wilkinson, 27 and Ron Williams, 24, were up to yesterday in critical condition at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Wilkinson was shot twice in his back. One of the bullets exited under his heart, while his cousin was shot in his neck and left side.

According to a police report, around 3 am the cousins were asleep at their Maingot Road, Princes Town home when three unmasked men armed with guns broke down the door.

Wilkinson and Williams were jolted from their sleep after the gunmen hit them with a gunbutt on their heads and faces.

The cousins’ hands were bound and they were bundled into a waiting car. The gunmen took them to a lonely road in Petite Cafe where they were ordered out of the vehicle. One of the bandits reportedly placed a gun to Williams head and told him "this is the end of the road for you."

On seeing this, Wilkinson, whose hands were still bound, tried to tackle the gunmen and shouted to his cousin to run.

Wilkison also started to run, but did not reach far. He was shot twice in his back while his cousin was shot in his neck. The gunmen subsequently jumped in their vehicle and drove off.

A bleeding Wilkinson managed to make his way out to the main road where his relatives found him while Ron went to the home of villager Elsa Seeratan.

Wilkinson’s father, Kenroy, said he believed the incident was a result of an altercation his son had with someone in the village. Expressing concern for their safety, the father pleaded with the police to send an officer to guard his son and nephew at the hospital.

"The gunmen could easily go on the ward and finish the job", he complained.

Princes Town police are continuing investigations.