A Siparia father, who was helping out a female bar owner in the area, was shot to death by gunmen he tried to prevent from entering and robbing the establishment yesterday morning.
The valiant efforts of Terrence Cain, 45, were in vain, as he died on the operating table as doctors fought desperately to save his life at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) several hours after the shooting.
Cain was one of two people killed as bandits terrorised citizens in the southland between Thursday night and yesterday.
Cain’s grieving sister Gloria, who recounted the tragic circumstances under which her brother lost his life yesterday, said the bandits had taken away a good man and a father.
Gloria recalled that Cain normally helped out once a week at the Real Steal Bar in De Gannes Village, Siparia. She said Thursday night was no different and when the bar closed at 3.20 am yesterday, patrons were still liming outside. On this occasion, however, two gunmen, hiding their faces with a jersey and bandana respectively, stormed the compound and robbed patrons of cash and cell phones. Cain and the bar owner, who were inside, were oblivious to what was happening outside. Police said after robbing the customers who were still outside, the gunmen ordered one of their victims to go to the bar and ask the owner for another round of drinks so they (bandits) could force themselves inside. But Gloria said when her brother opened the door for the customer, he noticed the gunmen and attempted to close it back.
“The bar was already closed, but he was inside when he heard a knocking on the door. The bar owner looked on the camera system and saw a customer who left the bar earlier. He told Cain to open the door. The customer said he wanted a next round. As he opened it (the door), they (gunmen) just started shooting so he slammed the door but they continued to shoot. Eventually he just fell on the ground and they ran into the bar,” Gloria said. Cain was shot four times by the bandits, who subsequently cleaned the cash register of some $5000. Siparia police were contacted and Cain was taken to the hospital, where he died around 9 am. Relatives who gathered around Cain’s home yesterday said he had celebrated his birthday and first wedding anniversary with his wife, Nathalie Lee-Cain, on June 1. They said Cain worked hard as a “wackerman” to provide for his family. Up to yesterday afternoon, investigators were at the bar conducting inquiries and had secured CCTV footage of the shooting. No one has been arrested. The murder toll stood at 250 yesterday, 25 more than for the same period last year.
Woman survives gun attack
In an unrelated incident, a supermarket attendant escaped death after she was ambushed by a gunman lurking in the bushes near her home yesterday afternoon.
Stacy Gumbs, 28, of the Penal Rock Road, was warded in the stable condition at the San Fernando General Hospital last night, after she suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and shoulder in the attack. Police said Gumbs was driving her beige Mazda 323 along Fazal Avenue, Penal, around 2.10 pm, in the company of Mario Meade at the time of the attack. Police said on reaching a junction, the gunman came out some bushes and opened fire on the car. Gumbs was hit but managed to speed off. However, she later crashed the car into a barbershop. On seeing this the gunman ran off.
Gumbs was taken to hospital by a passerby where she received emergency treatment. Meade suffered minor injuries from the crash and was treated and discharged.
Penal police, including Insp Brian Ramphal, Sgt Ryan Ramsingh and PC Brian Cummings, responded and several people were interviewed. The Crime Scene Unit also processed the scene, but up to last night no one was held. Police suspect the shooting was related to a dispute over a recent crime in the area.