Police have described the killing of two men in Valencia yesterday as a hit. The men were shot in their foreheads and then riddled with bullets about their bodies along a road leading to WASA’s Sangre Grande Well #2, but remained unidentified up to press time last night.
One senior police officer said the men fit the description of suspects wanted in the murder of security officer Vijay Maraj, who was shot dead when four bandits opened fire on customers during a robbery at the Cantonese Superstore at Maturita last Saturday.
A WASA employee who was on his way to work found the bodies around 6.15 am yesterday.
At first, the employee, a pump attendant, told police he thought the men, both of African descent, were vagrants, but he soon realised otherwise and contacted the police.
A team of police under Snr Supt John Trim, Supt Robert Phillip, ASP Robain, Insp Tom, Ag Insp Lutchman, and Sgts Fuentes, Pierre, and Lopez visited the scene. They were later joined by officers of the Homicide Region II, Arouca.
Police believe the men were executed elsewhere and taken to Valencia, where their killers then sprayed their bodies with more bullets. The men were dressed in three-quarter denim pants, with one of them wearing a lilac jersey and the other a multi-coloured T-shirt. Police said the men could be in their early 20s.
District Medical Officer Dr Obinga viewed the bodies and ordered them removed to the Forensic Science Centre, St James, for autopsies.
Supt Robert Phillip of the Sangre Grande Police Station is investigating.
Police are asking the public to contact the Sangre Grande Police Station at 668-2444 or 691-0133, or any police station, if they have any information that can assist in identifying the bodies.
Snr Supt Trim, Commander of Eastern Division Police, said the two killings had taken the toll for the region to 30 for the year. The overall murder toll for the year was 326 up to last night. He said in an effort to reduce crime they had increased patrols and there was a 24-hour police presence along the coast and in hot spots.