Police are still hunting the two men who shot and killed minibus driver Edward Joseph in an ambush early Wednesday morning at Middle Road, La Penitence and precautions are already being taken by the operators of this service.
The men lured Joseph to the area and observed him on three occasions before making a move. Reports are that they were expecting him to show up with more passengers believing he would have made other stops before proceeding to the area. But when Joseph turned up the head count in the minibus was four in addition to a baby.
Speculation is rife among friends close to Joseph as it relates to the last few hours of his life. Some believe he knew the men while others are of the opinion he was the victim of a set-up. Yesterday the owner of the bus service, “Mike” said he has no theory only questions.
He said certain rules are in place with respect to early morning pick-ups and he is concerned as to why Joseph did not follow them but he was also high in praise of the man’s efforts to save the passengers from obvious danger. He called Joseph a hero saying very few people might have done what he did.
“Though he got a bullet and was hurt real bad he still stepped on the accelerator and got those people out of there. Because of him they are alive today but unfortunately he is no more. It is sad, he is gone and I am left to wonder what happen because we have rules”, Mike said.
The bus operator explained that they never go into an area three times to pick up anyone, if the people scheduled to get picked up are not present on the first occasion they leave. He said Joseph went into the area three times which is something they never do and which in the end cost him his life.
According to Mike new arrangements are now in place for passengers traveling to Suriname following the incident. Only passengers known to him and the other drivers are being picked up. Other passengers will have to board the minibus at the bus park. Additionally, he said, regular passengers will only be picked up from their homes if they make the arrangements personally.
“If they don’t call themselves then we can’t do business that is how it is now”, he added.
Mickey’s bus service has been in operation for many years ferrying persons from all parts of the country to the boat crossing at Springlands, often in the wee hours of the morning. Arrangements for pick-ups are made between the hours of 7 and 9 pm.
Eyewitness accounts of the shooting on Wednesday reveal that Edwards had already picked up four passengers and was slated for another pick-up on Middle Road. Based on the arrangements, a man was supposed to have been waiting in the street but when Edwards turned up no one was there. He left but returned twice and on the fourth occasion was confronted by a gunman. Two men were spotted approaching the minibus when he arrived in the area on the fourth occasion, one carrying a travelling bag.
But the first man to reach the minibus opened fire hitting Edwards who managed to pull away from the men and drove a little distance away to Laing Avenue before running to a ditch. The passengers were later rescued unharmed.
