Three men were shot dead in separate instances and the handless body of a man was found under a burning heap of tyres as the murder toll galloped to 29 in just 18 days.
For the comparable period last year the murder toll stood at 24.
In Chaguanas, within a space of six hours, two families were left grieving after gunmen struck in unrelated shootings. One of the victims was mentally ill, police said.
According to police reports, around 12.20 am yesterday, Lisimba Daniel, 34, was walking along Mc Carthy Street, Chaguanas, when neighbours heard gunshots and called the police. Residents later found Daniel's bullet-riddled body.
The resident of Chrissie Terrace, Enterprise, was a plumbing student at the Multi-Skills Training (MUST) programme. He was shot in the head and right leg.
His father, Simon Daniel, speaking with the media at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, said his son was mentally ill and never troubled anyone.
“That’s so senseless. This morning I met a big man who crying more than me because he (Daniel) don't interfere with anyone. So everyone want to know why. We don't know if it was the wrong place or what. He said resident nicknamed his son “mad child”.
“Life and death is two friends walking together. It shocking and senseless to me but I have to take it. The men who kill him have to die just like I will have to die. I will leave it up to God. I not on earthly justice.”
Five hours earlier, Maurice Douglas was killed just outside his home at Hummingbird Drive, Edinburgh 500.
Police said around 7.30 pm on Monday, Douglas, 28, was at his home when he walked to the front of the house.
A short while after gunshots were heard. His mother, Janice Douglas, 54, found her son dead on the ground.
The shooter, eyewitnesses reported, was a slim-built man who was masked and wore a red and white jersey and grey three-quarter jeans.
The mother was too overcome with grief yesterday to speak. A female relative described Douglas as “a very quiet man.”
Later that night at Princes Town, gunmen shot and killed Jeremy Hernandez, 31, and wounded his former girlfriend, Tia James.
The attack took place hours after Hernandez was released from jail.
Police believe the gunmen followed him to his former girlfriend’s home in Princes Town. According to reports, around 10 pm Hernandez and James, were at her home located a short distance away from the Iere Village Branch Road.
Two gunmen, who are believed to have followed Hernandez to James’ home, began shooting.
James' screams prompted neighbours to call police. Hernandez died at the scene and James, who was also shot several times, was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where she is warded in a stable condition.
The T&T Guardian understands that Hernandez was originally from Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, but moved to the area during the state of emergency in 2011.
His mother, Hazel Guerra, said her son, a father of three, knew his killers but could give no insight into why they wanted him dead.
She said her son was shot in the shoulder and back.
Hernandez became involved with a then 15-year-old James, who would drop out of secondary school within months.
When her family disapproved of the relationship, James left with Hernandez and lived for sometime in Port-of-Spain.
However, a close relative told the T&T Guardian that James was abused by Hernandez and lived her life in fear of him.
“She used to be pulling out her hair when she knew he was coming. For the last few days she was jumpy and uneasy but we didn’t know he was coming out of jail,” the relative said.”
The relative, who asked not be identified, said James was tormented by Hernandez.
“Even when he wasn’t here, he had people looking over her all the time. She wanted to get a job and work but he would always make her leave after a few weeks. When he came yesterday (Monday) he was cursing and saying he would burn down her house.
“Later in the night, we heard ‘Pax, pax, pax!’ and then we heard her screaming,” the relative added.
Police say Hernandez had previous convictions for narcotics possession and driving without a permit and insurance.
There were also several warrants out for his arrest for armed robberies.
CORPSE FOUND IN BURNT TYRES
In another unrelated incident, the partially burnt body of a man was found covered in burning tyres in Tortuga on Monday.
According to reports, around 9.40 pm, passersby observed a light coming from some bushes at Garden Trace, Tortuga.
On checking, they found a human body on fire, partially concealed by the tyres.
Police say the body was badly burnt and could not be identified but they were able to determine it was that of a man.
There were pieces of wire from the tyres around the neck and on the body.
Both of the man’s hands were severed, police said. Southern Division police are continuing investigations.
Two shot in ambush
Two men remain warded at the San Fernando General Hospital in critical condition after they were both shot several times in Gasparillo on Monday night.
Keron Archer and Damian Mottley were sitting in Archer’s car in front of Mottley’s home at Caratal Road, Gasparillo, around 10.45 pm when a vehicle pulled alongside them and two men with guns began shooting at them.
Archer was hit on his shoulder and stomach and Mottley was hit on his stomach and leg.
Residents alerted the police and the men were taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where they both underwent emergency surgery.