T&T Central man killed after curfew

(Trinidad Express) The country yesterday recorded its second murder since a State of Emergency was declared on August 21 and curfew restrictions imposed in six areas deemed as crime hotspots.

The dead man has been identified as Craig Diaz, 32, of Diamond Main, Crown Trace, Enterprise Village, Chaguanas. He was shot about the body by an intruder at his home shortly after 5. a.m. yesterday, police said.

The Chaguanas Borough is one of the areas identified as a crime hot spot, particularly the Enterprise Village community.

The other areas where 9 p.m.- 5.a.m. curfew restrictions have been imposed are the cities of Port of Spain and San Fernando, the Diego Martin and San Juan Regional Corporations and the Arima Borough Corporation.

The first murder occurred one week ago, 26-year-old Karim Alexander, of St Thomas Village, Chaguanas, was stabbed to death by a close female relative during a domestic row at his home. An inquest has been ordered into the incident by Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard.

Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Anti-Crime Operations, Mervyn Richardson , yesterday described the latest murder as unfortunate, saying that the police would be ever stronger in their quest to hunt down criminal elements who have gone into hiding.

“… It (Craig’s killing) was after the curfew ended and that is a cause for serious concern and we will continue with all our might to hunt down the criminal elements and bring them to justice,” Richardson said. Enterprise Village is one of the heaviest patrolled in the Central Division by law enforcement officials.

Police, around 5.30 a.m. yesterday, Craig was at his home in the company with his wife when a gunman entered and opened fire on him. He attempted to escape but was pursued and shot again.

The gunman then pointed the gun at Craig’s wife and pulled the trigger but the weapon failed to go off. The assailant then made his escape on foot. Craig was taken to the Chaguanas Health Facility where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police believe the killing may have been linked to a recent incident in which a relative of Craig’s was raped in the Chaguanas area. Officers said even though they had previously charged Craig with being in possession of marijuana, he was not known to be involved in other criminal activities. They believe the suspect waited for the curfew to end before storming Craig’s home.

Detectives from the Region II Homicide Bureau of Investigations in San Fernando were among the officers who visited the scene and are probing the incident.