Maraval man’s murder deemed a revenge hit

At about 11 am, residents of Upper Celestine Trace, Maraval, heard gunshots coming from a nearby track. When they investigated they found the body of Hashim Abdul Ferette, 25, alias "Heights," lying in a pool of blood. The body bore bullet wounds at the back of the head and left shoulder.

Rita Ferette, the dead man’s mother, said her son’s life had been threatened by a man in the area who had twice kicked down his door. Since then, she said, the father of two had been staying with relatives at Charford Court, Port-of-Spain.

Ferette said her son had changed his life and was taking care of his younger brothers and sisters whom he visited regularly. "Yesterday, was one of those days. He came, changed his clothes and said he will return soon. Twenty minutes later someone came and told me he was shot dead."

She said, "Hashim was a darling. He was a wonderful son who was courteous and respectful, always looking out for his siblings. When that incident happened he went away because he did not want trouble.

"As a matter of fact he got a job recently in Tobago and had only returned on Wednesday. Although he left because of the threats, he believed everything was over." Eyewitnesses reported seeing a man enter the track, following Ferette. Soon after, they heard the gunshots and saw the same man running the other way.

Police said while they believe Ferette was followed and killed by a man, they also believe he was on his way to a nearby marijuana field when the incident took place. Visiting the scene were Sen Supt Roach, ASP Cadette, Insp Lezama and Cpl Vincent. Cpl Vincent is investigating.

There have been 194 murders for the year, compared with 146 during the same period last year. Sixteen people have been murdered in July.