Two cousins shot dead in T&T

David Phelps

(Trinidad Express) TWO cousins were shot dead on Thursday night after spending the day at a bar in Boissierre Village, Maraval, where they spent a total of $3,000 buying drinks for anyone they knew.

The victims—David Phelps, 47, and Rawle Cassie, 42—were shot dead around 7 p.m. when three armed men stormed the bar, found both men and opened fire.

Phelps, who lived at Agra Street, St James, was killed on the spot.

Cassie, who lived at Boissierre Village, was taken to Port of Spain General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Their bodies were examined yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in Federation Park, where the families of both men had gathered.

Gary Jagdeo, who was the cousin of both men, spoke to reporters. He described them as very loving people.

He said both men spent almost the entire day at the bar purchasing drinks for anyone they knew.

He said they would not normally lime at that bar and they were calling him on his cellular phone begging him to join them. However, he told them he stopped drinking years ago.

Jagdeo said during his brief conversation with Phelps on Thursday, Phelps kept telling him that he (Jagdeo) would have to bury him. Jagdeo replied that he was old and suffering with kidney problems.

David Phelps
David Phelps

Speaking about Cassie, he said his other cousin returned from the United States, where he had spent the last 18 years.

He said Cassie only returned last year to Trinidad and Tobago to live. He also said Cassie spent a lot of time “making peace” with other villagers.

He was not able to say why he was “making peace”.

Homicide Bureau officers are continuing investigations.

The murder toll stood at 371 up to last night, while the figure on December 13 last year was 367.